Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Amendment No. 4 provides for the substitution of the words "may be inconsistent" for "is inconsistent" in section 129F(1). The purpose of this subsection, in the first place, is to allow the rating authority an opportunity to examine the submissions received during the public consultation phase and second, to give an indication to the BID proponent of its analysis of those submissions. On balance, it is considered that the words "may be inconsistent" are more appropriate at this stage in the process.

The main purpose of amendment No. 5 is to ensure that a plebiscite cannot be triggered by the BID proponent until after the 60-day period allowed to the rating authority to examine the submissions received during the public consultation phase and notify the proponent of its view as to the possible inconsistency of the proposal with the interest of the local community in mind. It is appropriate that the BID proponent should await any notification from the rating authority under subsection (1) before allowing the proponent to proceed to plebiscite stage.

Amendment No. 6 involves a consequential amendment in section 129G(1).