Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

These amendments relate to Chapters 1 to 3, inclusive, of Part 3 of the Bill, which deal with the definitions for the Part, the national planning framework and the national planning statements.

Amendment No. 31 introduces a definition for "transport infrastructure" to section 17 and broadens the term "transport infrastructure" to include a reference to infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.

Amendments Nos. 32 to 34, inclusive, amend section 18. The section currently provides that where Part 3 of the Bill requires publication of a notice stating that a matter will be made available for public inspection, it shall be made available for inspection for the stated period or, where no period is stated, a reasonable period. Section 18 currently applies to the OPR, regional assemblies and planning authorities. These amendments will apply section 18 to the Minister also.

Amendment No. 35 seeks to add the term "or body" for consistency to subsection (2)(i) of section 23 as the paragraph initially refers to a Department or body in Northern Ireland.

Amendments Nos. 36 and 37 seek to add clarity to subsections (6) and (7) of section 23 by specifying the appropriate paragraph reference.

Following a review by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, amendment No. 38 is introduced to redraft section 24 of the Bill for the purpose of providing clarity and to aid comprehension. The substance of section 24 is not changed in comparison with the previous versions of the Bill.

Amendment No. 39 restates the existing subsection (8) of section 25 to make it clear that guidelines issued under section 52 of the 2000 Act, relating to protected structures and structures with special interest, such as architectural, historic, scientific or cultural interest, will remain in effect following the repeal of that Act until they are either revoked by the Minister or replaced by a national planning statement relating to the same subject.

Amendments Nos. 40 and 41 are wording amendments related to section 26 of the Bill. These amendments insert the word "received" for clarity. This does not change the context of this provision.

Amendment No. 42 clarifies the wording in section 27 and is a transitional provision relating to the current section 28 ministerial guidelines contained in the Planning and Development Act 2000. It restates the existing subsection (1) of section 27 to make it clear that guidelines issued under section 28 of the Act of 2000, which relates to the functions of planning authorities, will remain in effect following the repeal of that Act until they are either revoked by the Minister or replaced by a national planning statement relating to the same subject matter.

See this speech in context