Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

I take this opportunity to congratulate Deputy Hogan on his reappointment as Fine Gael spokesperson on the environment, heritage and local government. The Deputy's amendment proposes to extend the period for which a draft direction is available for inspection by the public from two to four weeks. As regards the timeframe available to the public to make submissions on draft ministerial directions to amend a development plan or local area plan, it must be borne in mind that such directions are specific in terms of which aspect of the plan is proposed to be amended. There is no question of members of the public having to familiarise themselves with the details of the total plan. Rather, they need only deal with the specific issue or issues set out in the draft direction. The two-week period is sufficient to allow the public to consider the Minister's specific concerns on particular issues and to make any submissions accordingly. I do not propose to accept the amendment.

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