Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Senator McCarthy raises an important point. Many of us have come through the council system and it is not the intention to remove power from councillors. It is not a question of their having no input, they will have a major input. The manager must have regard to the relevant county development plans and the regional or spatial planning guidelines, whether housing strategies, special amenity orders or river basin management plans. There will be a direct input through the strategic policy committees. While the input of members into the process will not be excluded, it is a question of pitching them at the appropriate level. In view of this, while I appreciate the intentions behind Senator McCarthy's amendment, which is supported by Senator Cummins, I regret I cannot accept it.