Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

This amendment is about trying to retain the existing system within local authorities whereby a simple majority of the council can make material amendments, or whatever is required to make those amendments, to a development plan. Requiring two thirds of the members of a council to make these amendments could cause difficulty in trying to get development plans passed. That is our fundamental difficulty with the legislation as drafted. We feel it gives an unfair advantage to the minority within councils. There is a danger that a rump could form within a council and exclude good amendments that would have the support of the majority. That is our simple and fundamental view. In his speech on Second Stage, the Minister said this Bill was about empowering local authorities and enhancing the powers of their members. As drafted, however, the legislation diminishes the power of elected representatives, be they from villages, towns or cities. In most council votes, a simple majority is required to elect a cathaoirleach or mayor. It is recognised as being the required majority of those particular councils, so that is the reason we have tabled these amendments.

Last week, some speakers on the Government side expressed concerns about the legislation as it is drafted. Before Report Stage, the Minister of State and his officials should consider deleting the two thirds requirement to pass material amendments to development plans.