Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 40:

In page 63, to delete lines 37 and 38, to delete pages 64 and 65, and in page 66, to delete lines 1 to 16.

I am not opposed to the development of service delivery plans. I believe the public should know what is likely to happen in a particular year.

I have the same concern about the range of services or initiatives that will be taken at municipal level where the chief executive is required to consult. Often, the term "consult" is a one-dimensional thing but it must be two-dimensional to really matter. I have concerns about it. Obviously, I am looking to amend a particular part of the section rather than withdraw the whole section.

If it was a question that there was the prospect or mechanism of reviewing it in a year's time to determine whether it is working and if the Minister is prepared to review it to see if it is working effectively, say, 12 months after the local elections, by which time it would be properly in place, then I could live with it on that basis. However, I am rather sceptical about how meaningful the consultation will be and whether it will work in practice. Perhaps it is the doubting Thomas in me.

See this speech in context