Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I fully support the amendments tabled by my colleague and the Labour Party on this. Having one third, or less than one third, of a local authority dictating the planing policy of that local authority is undemocratic. I see no problem with requiring two thirds for a material contravention but surely a simple majority is more than sufficient for drawing up a development plan for a particular local authority area. It would reflect the democratic wishes of the people. Seeking a two thirds majority for development plans is undemocratic and should be viewed as such. People elect local authority members to act on their behalf. A majority of members elects a chairman and dictates much of the business of the council, therefore why in the case of a development plan, which is a reserve function of the members, is the Minister trying to dictate that we should have a two thirds majority instead of a simple majority? Perhaps it suits his party, which has one or two members throughout the country. What the Minister is proposing in this regard is a negation of democracy.