Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

Fine Gael agrees with the general thrust of this section whereby it will empower planning authorities to refuse permission where the applicant has carried out an unauthorised development. I stated earlier in some of my submissions that Fine Gael should not be seen as being against every aspect of the Bill because we realise the Planning and Development Acts need to be amended and revised. We opposed large sections of the Bill today, but we welcome section 20 whereby it would empower local authorities to ensure persons who have not been compliant certainly do not get permission again.

We debated the issues on how best that is done and the responsibilities of the executives of local authorities. We have heard examples here from around the country where they are not doing their job. It may be in the interests of proper planning and development if a circular letter issued to local authority executives to remind them of their obligations in this part of the legislation. We have heard from all sections of the country that there are problems with this regard. In the current economic climate, it is more relevant than ever. I would like the Minister of State to comment on those points.