Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an tAire Stáit. As Senator Coffey rightly stated, we do not understand the rationale behind this section. In the context of where we are going as a society, local area plans have never been more necessary. If we are to talk of creating hierarchies, let us start at the bottom and work up.

I am interested in determining where we will go. The local area plan is our Bible for the area in question and, as Senator Coffey stated, it allows for the participation of people. The Minister of State said people are not precluded but they will be. Towns of 5,000 or 10,000 will be able to dominate as a consequence, with a spin-off effect. The Minister of State knows that, in the context of the changes to business, commerce and rural Ireland, local area plans are imperative and have never been more necessary. In this regard one must consider population trends, infrastructural developments by the NRA and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and how Bus Éireann and Irish Rail deal with communities. The local area plan is critical to the creation of sustainable communities.

I am disappointed no Member from the Green Party is present. Section 10 goes against the ethos of creating sustainable communities and does not give them a say. Despite the spin, it removes local democracy. The objectives of local area plans are important and must be consistent with the objectives of the development plans. I look forward to hearing what the Minister of State has to say.

Senator Coffey is correct. We have all come through the local authority system. We are now starting to micro-manage from the top down. Is this a case of the Fianna Fáil Government allowing us to sleepwalk into this Bill?