Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

In opposing section 16 Senator Coffey proposes to delete the proposed amendments to provide that the regional authority has a more explicit role in the draft variation process to a development plan to ensure consistency between it and the regional planning guidelines in force, including informing the Minister of its views. That is not acceptable as the regional authority planning guidelines are the linch-pin between the national spatial strategy which sets the broader strategic planning framework at central government and local planning which sets the local context for development planning and development management. It is a matter for those responsible for planning in each local authority to interpret and implement regional planning guidelines. The current position is that all development plans are submitted to the Minister to be signed off. I am not in a position to accept what is proposed by Senator Coffey.