Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

This must not have been the way in his time or perhaps he was asleep. In our local authority the manager addressed every issue and amendment. The same applied to the local area plans. He would have come back to the council with a report on every issue. Everything, that the Minister aspires to in the Bill, such as recycling and transport, has been included in our development plans. We went to great lengths sometimes going through the plans for six and seven hours to ensure we were happy with them.

The idea of reducing the quorum in An Bord Pleanála from three to two beggars belief. I do not know why the Minister is doing that. In my simple reckoning if three people sit around a table the process is more transparent. I look forward to hearing on Committee Stage why the Minister has come up with that idea.

I am really upset by the Minister's comment that Athlone is the tip of overzoning iceberg which contributed massively to the housing and development bubble. He also referred to 45 towns and cities around the country. I do not know why he lays the blame fairly and squarely on Athlone when one considers what went on around Dublin and the cosy cartels between bankers and Fianna Fáil in the tent in Galway. These are Deputies with whom the Minister fraternised and with whom he is working in Government. The idea that he would lambaste councillors to the extent that he is doing is outrageous.

There are aspects of this Bill with which I agree. We all need proper planning. Renewable energy, which is so close to the Minister's heart, is very welcome. The part of the Bill dealing with offshore energy is very important. Wave power is the way forward and we must comply with the request for windmills in amenity areas. I also agree with the proposal to penalise people who apply for retention when they have already built houses or extensions that they should not have built. While I agree with many aspects of the Bill, it is incomplete and the Minister said he needs to table many amendments. For that reason Fine Gael cannot support it on this Stage. House prices increased 250% between 1996 and 2006. What is the value of a house, agricultural land or zoned land now? It is ridiculous to be debating this legislation now. It should have been introduced two years ago.