John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I am happy to proceed. Overall, the proposed Bill will contribute positively to a more effective future operation of public inquiries. It provides for a comprehensive statutory framework governing all aspects of a tribunal, from the time of its establishment to the publication of its final report, and its enactment will further the public interest and public accountability, and underpin the confidence of the public and the Oireachtas in any future tribunals.

The genesis and justification for the planning tribunal are well known. Allegations of acts of bribery and corruption in the planning process and unlawful payments being made to secure votes on rezoning decisions must become things of the past. Good planning is a necessity and not an option when it comes to the future development of this country. Decisions must be made openly and transparently and be taken in the best interests of the public. As Minister, I will insist that this happens.

I will examine whether changes are required to strengthen the decision making process by local authorities in the zoning of land so that decisions are clearly arrived at, are evidence based and secure the necessary economic, environmental and social benefits for local communities. I will further strengthen the planning system so that the national spatial strategy, regional planning guidelines, development plans and local area planning are fully aligned in practice so the huge Exchequer funding committed by this Government under the national development plan to water, sewerage, public transport and roads will see them delivered in the right places and in a co-ordinated and timely manner. I will continue to work closely with my colleagues in Government so that fast growing areas are provided with the schools, public transport, open spaces, play areas and other community facilities they need in parallel with housing development and not as an afterthought. I will ensure, through the local government reform process, that any further steps required to strengthen the ethics regime in the local government system are taken.

I conclude by reiterating that successive Governments over the past decade have supported and facilitated the planning tribunal in every respect as it pursues its very detailed and comprehensive investigations——

See this speech in context