Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State appears to be indicating that the Minister will have the final say on what can be varied in a development plan according to regional planning guidelines. Perhaps he will clarify that. It is not clear in the Bill who will have the final say. If there is to be a variation in a county development plan, it is either proposed by the executive or the manager and then the elected members of the local authority debate and decide on that and vote accordingly. Such a variation involves a transparent democratic process. Reference is made to proposed variations of the development plan that are not consistent with the regional planning guidelines. I am not clear about who makes that decision. Is it the director of the regional planning authority, the Minister or the Department? That needs to be clear.