Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I am disappointed by the Minister of State's very short response to a significant and fundamental issue. The Bill, which contains a great deal of detail, with much of which we agree, goes back to the national spatial strategy. I understand that the Government must have policies in place for its direction but the Government of the day holds the democratic majority in the Oireachtas. It does not seem logical to me, nor does it pose any threat to the national spatial strategy, to have the approval of the Oireachtas to implement Government policy.

Almost daily Government policy comes before us in various Bills and the majority rules. As difficult as it can be at times to be in Opposition we are democrats and respect the majority and the Government when it has the numbers to implement whatever laws it sees fit to enact. I can see no reason the national spatial strategy should not be subject to the same scrutiny as the laws we implement every day. This is a fundamental and significant strategy in which every citizen and elected representative should have a say. That is the nub of the problem Fine Gael has with the Bill. It has had to oppose many sections which I do not like doing because we want to see improvements in the planning and development process. Many improvements are needed and addressed in the Bill. Unfortunately, there are some missed opportunities in the provisions, with a democratic deficit in this case. The national spatial strategy has been given much significance and importance but it does not have accountability and transparency through the electoral process or engagement with citizens. That is the fundamental reason the amendment has been tabled.