Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government explained this week that a problem has arisen in respect of the Attorney General and that the amending regulation is intended to tidy up legal issues. I listened to a discussion of environmental impact studies on "Morning Ireland" and I accept that the intent behind this is to prevent duplication in the planning process. However, I ask the Minister to open regulations such as this to debate because obvious difficulties with this approach were identified this week. As a result of the debate we held on this matter last week, it transpired that planning notices do not have to be published for developments of a significant size because they are exempted. I question the approach being taken by the House on this matter and, particularly in light of the public participation directive and other matters, stress that changes to planning regulations should allow local public inputs into developments that affect communities.

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