Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

There are inconsistencies in what the Minister of State is saying. We are removing the element of accountability. What is the tic-tac between the county council and the regional authority? I repeat the question asked by Senator Coffey about who has the power to be the final arbitrator. I am concerned that we are vesting this power in the few and that we are making them powerful. The Minister, Deputy Gormley, is on a crusade to be the white knight on the horse for local authorities. We are becoming secretive and pejorative in what we are doing. We must ask what the criteria will be when we vary development plans. What is the pattern and who will activate the process? Who will decide on whether the plans are consistent? Section 27C(3) refers to "Where the opinion of the regional authority stated in the submissions or observations made and the report issued is that the proposed variation of the development plan and its core strategy are not consistent". Who is the conduit between the local authority and the regional authority?