Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 12, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following:

"(4) The making of submissions by a local authority under regulations under this section or under section 19A shall be a reserved function.".

Put simply, this means a consultation with a local authority could, if one just leaves it like that, be a consultation with a nominated official such as a director of services or a nominee of the city or county manager. This amendment provides for an element of local consultation, in that the elected representatives will be the people who will have an opportunity to hear the proposal. I understood many Members from the Government side spoke in favour of such a development on Second Stage and I hope the Minister of State will accept this amendment.

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