Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is the planners who are actually trained and qualified to ensure they implement policy. I have never seen a politician, be it a councillor or Deputy, make an assessment of a planning application. They are not technically qualified to do so. Today we are addressing the issues within the Bill, not the issues in Kerry County Council. The national planning statements replace section 28 and section 29 guidelines, pertaining to a ministerial policy directive under the Act of 2000. I am satisfied that the procedures for the national planning statements and the matters in respect of the Minister issuing national planning statements are set out in the Bill and are sufficient.

See this speech in context