Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

First, aside from the legislation under discussion, one of my delegated responsibilities in my Department is for developing areas.

As for timescales, the existing law is that a council brings forward development charges and a set of schemes. It must report within five years and bring a further set of schemes at that time. Consequently, there is a timescale, although whether it is considered to be too wide is another matter. In practical terms, this provision gives a wider definition to a local authority and its members of what are its public infrastructure and facilities. This is long overdue, if one considers some of the decisions that had to be taken recently such as on the provision of schools in the outlying areas of the city. This matter possibly should have been dealt with at the time the developments were under way. This legislation and the developing areas initiative give an authority the entitlement to make such a decision.

I appreciate the point made by Senator Callely on the reduction in development charges on account of the decreased amount of construction activity in local authorities. However, that should not prevent one from introducing good legislation on the matter or updating legislation to allow local authorities to define and have a wider definition on what constitutes public infrastructure and facilities. This provision is a facility in law for them and their members as regards infrastructure. It does not differ in respect of levies under existing mechanisms. Members are aware this is a reserved function and is a decision that must be taken by elected members. As I noted previously, the five-year rule is in place and it is a matter for elected members to ensure it is adhered to. I am sure they do because it is one of their more important functions. Up to now, it was a function that was helpful to local authority members in their own areas. They could ensure their localities had facilities when a scheme was being put in place and at the same time they knew that adequate finance was available through the development charges to meet them.

This may not be the case this year or perhaps next year. I hope, however, it soon will be the case again that there will be such development charges or, if not, that a different source of resources will be available in this regard. I do not have anything further to say other than to note that its purpose is to give the opportunity to local authorities to cover new infrastructure in their plans. Essentially, this follows on from Members' previous discussions about recreational facilities and so on. I am highly conscious of the subject of sustainable communities and the developing areas initiative is one of my areas of responsibility. For the benefit of the House, I note that I intend to bring a report to the Government on the issue very shortly.