Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

It is the role of a housing authority to plan ahead for the provision of housing supports in its administrative area. I assume we all agree on that.

While we must provide for the maximum transparency in the strategic planning process and seek an input into the wider range of important issues and voices in the housing area, we must be also careful not to erode or over complicate the ability of a housing authority to plan ahead.

The important characteristic of this provision is that it will be undertaken in a public way and with appropriate consultation. There will be executive assessment by the manager and debate and adoption by elected members of the council. The Minister may for stated reasons require the housing authority to amend the draft plan so that the adopted plan takes full account of the matter specified in section 15. The adoption plan must be made available for public inspection, including on the Internet. In those circumstances, I ask Deputy Ciarán Lynch to withdraw his amendment.

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