Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

Section 22 refers to public authorities placing documentation related to an application on its website. Obviously, the more information available to the public the greater the degree of transparency there will be, consistent obviously with the privacy of individuals who are making planning applications. It is vital, as we have seen in relation to the proposed Corrib gas pipeline, that the planning process is transparent and open to consultation and persuasion. This will not be assisted by reducing the number of members entitled to make decisions, many of whom may have a significant impact and some of whom may be contentious. Again, I will seek to address this issue by way of amendment.

While I welcome the general thrust of the Bill and will not oppose it on this Stage, there are a number of areas that need to be clarified or amended and I will seek to do so when the Bill returns to the House.

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