Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

Amendment No. 15 proposes to delete the proposed amendment in the published Bill, which requires that in seeking initial views from the public on strategic issues to inform the initial preparation and drafting of the draft development plan, the planning authority can specify that it will not consider submissions or proposals related to the zonings of specific land. Planning authorities must maintain strategic focus on the preparation of the draft development plan and, if they are drawn into considering specific proposals for the zoning of specific plans, they are exposed to losing sight of the strategic objectives. Section 11(2) provides for focusing the scope of submissions or observations on strategic issues in preparation of the draft development plan. It requires that submissions or observations are aimed at objectives and policies to deliver an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of an area of the development plan and that submissions for observations must not relate to a request for a proposal for the zoning of specific lands for any purpose. It is the intention that the local authority will provide issue papers that will involve the public at the onset.