Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I indicated to the House on the Committee Stage debate on section 16, dealing with the preparation and making of a housing services plan, that I would examine this amendment, which proposed to extend the timeframe from six week to eight weeks within which the bodies or persons notified in accordance with section 16(1) must make their observations on the housing services plan. I have carried out that examination and I am satisfied the timeframe suggested in the amendment can be accommodated.

As the House will appreciate, no matter what timeframes are chosen, there will be always demands for an extension to those limits. The current limits are demanding on all parties, but are reasonable. However, there is no major issue of principle involved. Therefore, on balance and in order to meet the concerns of Senators I propose this amendment.

Given the extended timeframe now proposed for persons and bodies under section 16(3), I also propose to increase from three to four weeks the time limit for the submission of the manager's report under subsection (5), in the interest of balance between the various parties. I ask the House to support these two amendments.