Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 42:

In page 24, line 12, after "public" to insert "within 7 days of receiving such

direction".

We seek a clear definition of the timeframe for inspections by members of the public. We do not want to leave this open-ended but want clarity on the progress of any directions issued under this legislation. The new section 31(19) provides that the "planning authority shall make a direction issued to it under subsection (16) available for inspection by members of the public, during office hours of the authority, at the offices of the authority". There is, however, no provision in the subsection stipulating when that should be done, for example, if it be done within seven days of receipt of the direction. No effort is made to provide for the length of time it should be available for inspection. These are basic omissions. In the present planning process there are clear timeframes for various stages and directions. We propose this amendment to bring clarity to the Bill and to give all stakeholders an idea of the lengths of time that will be allocated to these stages when directions are issued under this section. Would the Minister of State consider implementing some timeframe if not seven days then two weeks or whatever to give clearer definition to this section?