Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 62:

In page 33, line 7, to delete "creation, management, restoration or".

Fine Gael proposes in page 33, line 7, to delete the words "creation, management, restoration or" for the simple reason it is too prescriptive. The legislation would be quite sufficient if it stated "(g) secure the preservation of any site of scientific or ecological interest, including any Nature". The preservation is the important matter and that encompasses all, including the term "creation, management, restoration or". We believe it is just too much detail and too prescriptive in terminology.

We do not need to make this planning Bill any more complex than it needs be. We must remember that this must be interpreted by every planner in the country. Any person who makes an application should be able to understand it. It should not be the job of law to over-prescribe on how planning is processed. It would be quite ample to remove the words "creation, management, restoration or" and I would ask the Minister of State to genuinely consider this. It is a reasonable request.

In addition, this section refers to the national heritage areas, wildlife and such like, all of which are obviously important areas, and I want to make a general comment.