Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I do not believe the addition of a statutory requirement on the housing authorities to provide explanations will serve any useful purpose in this instance. The important characteristic of this provision is that it is undertaken in a public way with appropriate consultation opportunities, executive assessment by the manager and debate and adoption by the elected members of the council. Importantly, the Minister may, for stated reasons, require the housing authority to amend the draft plan in order that the adopted plan takes full account of the matters specified in section 15(1). The adopted plan must be made available for public inspection, including publication on the Internet. In these circumstances, I ask that the amendment be withdrawn.