Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 19:

In page 12, lines 12 and 13, to delete "a vote of not less than two-thirds" and substitute "a majority".

Fine Gael tabled this amendment because we do not see why the existing legislation should be changed. At present, a simple majority of the council can make a resolution to amend a development plan. That is local democracy in action. In this section, the Bill proposes that the passing of a resolution will take not less than two thirds of the members of the planning authority. In his Second Stage speech, the Minister stated the Bill would strengthen local democracy and I agree that many measures in it do so. However, we feel this section will strengthen a minority in a council and could create a minority rump that could hold up a development plan or amendment to it if it is not in agreement. A simple majority of the council might be in full agreement with a plan or an amendment to it but will be outvoted if this measure is passed into legislation. The existing legislation is more than adequate and reflects democracy in action as a simple majority of a council can pass a resolution to amend a development plan.