Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

The Government amendment substitutes the existing subsection (3) with a new subsection (3) and makes two changes to the text. It clarifies that consultation is confined to the persons listed in Section 16 (1). It also provides that the period of submission for draft housing service plans begins from the date of issue of the draft plan rather than the date of its preparation. Under the provision as it stands delay in issuing the draft plan reduces the time available to the persons listed in section 16 (1) to comment on it.

Regarding the first change, while the former consultation process under section 16 is confined to persons listed in Section 16 (1), other interested parties are not excluded from the process. There is extensive public consultation in the preparation of a development plan which incorporates the housing strategy on which the housing services plan is based. In addition, as proposals for a draft housing services plan will be tabled before Members, the consultation process is very open and anyone can make known his or her views to elected representatives for input to the deliberative process.

I refer to the Opposition amendment No. 22. I am keen to ensure the creation and adoption of a housing services plan is carried out in a timely and efficient manner. No matter what timeframes are chosen, there always will be demands for extensions to those limits. However, I believe the limits in the Bill are reasonable and will help to concentrate minds to have a plan adopted. In those circumstances, I ask that the Senators withdraw their amendments.