Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

In opposing section 14, Senator Coffey proposes to delete the proposed amendments to provide that the regional authority has a more explicit role in the draft development plan preparation process to ensure consistency between it and the regional planning guidelines, including informing the Minster of its views. This is clearly not acceptable for the reasons I have outlined, as the regional planning guidelines are the linchpin between the national spatial strategy, which sets the broader strategic planning framework at central Government level, and local planning, which sets the local context for development planning and management.

To answer Senator Burke, there will be public consultation on regional planning guidelines after their publication in the new year. It is important to state that the guidelines are prepared in consultation with local authorities and their managers.