Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I echo the point that I made last night and that has been made again in this debate about making this very long amendment to the Bill even though it does not concern this legislation. I have expressed a different view from Deputy Ó Broin regarding the question of the Planning Regulator. That the Minister must explain to the Houses if he or she is taking a different view from the Planning Regulator means that the Minister is accountable to the Houses for the decision in question. We have a number of bodies that make large decisions for citizens but are not accountable to the Oireachtas. There are transport, health and other bodies that we cannot require to appear before us regarding decisions of theirs that are relevant to citizens. It is a question of balance, but it is better that the Minister ultimately be accountable to the elected Members, who are here on behalf of the people. It is a judgment either way, but in this case it is right. It would be brave or foolhardy of any Minister to make a decision that is contrary to what the Planning Regulator has said is the appropriate action. Nevertheless, the reason behind this measure is to ensure accountability to the elected representatives of the people. While I agree with other Members about the methodology being used in this long amendment, I do not have the same view as Deputy Ó Broin as regards the Planning Regulator.

See this speech in context