Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I move amendment No. 20:

In page 10, line 11, to delete "7" and substitute "28".

This amendment refers to section 7 and the procedure whereby the authority has made draft by-laws that have been put out for public consultation and the time limit for submissions, which is currently seven days. Given my experience as a public representative — I am sure the Ceann Comhairle has similar experience — a very brief period of consultation when one is trying to make a submission in the planning process, such as applies at present, impacts negatively on the public and democracy.

Seven days is a brief period. It would take some days to find a notice, perhaps on a website, leaving only a few days to make the submission. Even in the current planning system, the period is five weeks, or effectively 27 days with regard to An Bord Pleanála. Like other Deputies, I make such submissions regularly. It is necessary to provide more time. I suggest a period of four weeks rather than one.

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