Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

I would like to respond to a number of the points made by the Minister of State. My proposal in respect of An Bord Pleanála is not a fixed idea. I am merely suggesting that is possible. I believe there is a need to look more fundamentally at planning issues. As I understand it, some countries do not allow the type of zoning we allow. One can have too much or too little zoning. As I have stated previously, zoning allowed land to become valuable and not zoning resulted in other land becoming valuable. There is a need to look at planning in a more fundamental way and this could perhaps be done from now on. NAMA has been established and there is much happening in respect of construction. Many councils are currently not zoning, which is something I would have pushed for on my local council. Managers believe enough land has been zoned to keep us going for some years.

There is a crisis in the planning area to which councils are responding. I believe this legislation is doing likewise. I agree with the legislation in principle and accept that the Green Party's intentions are good in terms of trying to address problems in current planning legislation. However, the Bill only tinkers with the issue and could cause problems. I also believe some of its provisions are undemocratic, which is the reason for my tabling certain amendments.

There is a need for legislation in this area to be consolidated, which is, perhaps, a matter for another day. In terms of the issue dealt with in the amendment, there is a need to examine the phrasing used in planning legislation to ensure it is consistent throughout. We should pick one phrase and then stick with it, which I again accept is another day's work.

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