Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)

I move amendment No. 16:

In page 8, line 36, after "section 11" to insert the following:

"in full consultation with local residents and community interests".

This amendment seeks to clarify the functions of the agency, one of which is to "prepare a strategic plan in accordance with section 11". I suggest that such a plan should be prepared "in full consultation with local residents and community interests".

Amendment No. 28 seeks to amend the list of bodies with which the agency will have to consult when drawing up a strategic plan. If the amendment is accepted, section 11(1) will state that "the Agency shall, as soon as may be after its establishment, prepare a plan ... for the strategic development of the Grangegorman site in consultation with local residents and community interests". The current list of bodies to be consulted markedly omits residents' organisations. Other groups such as the Dublin Institute of Technology, the Northern Area Health Board, the Eastern Regional Health Authority are mentioned, as are the Ministers for Education and Science and Health and Children.

Amendment No. 28 proposes that the agency be required to consult "local residents and community interests". I hope I do not have to convince the Minister of the obvious merits of such a proposal. As I said, the residents of the Grangegorman area have a keen interest in the development of the site in question. It is clear that the preparation of a strategic plan should involve consultation with local residents and community interests.

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