Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

Amendments Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive, are related to the issue of the higher two thirds majority as opposed to a simple majority which was discussed at length last week. I found the Committee Stage debate on this issue very constructive and I have reflected further on the issues raised. As I have clarified, it was intended to ensure that any further changes proposed by Members to amendments to the draft development plan that had been subject to public consultation, namely, the second consultation period, were to be subject to a higher approval threshold because such changes would not be subject to any further public scrutiny. It was always intended that a simple majority vote by the members would be all that is required as is currently the case in respect of all other stages in the development planning process as I have already outlined. This is also the position in the case of variations to development plans, namely, where such changes would not be subject to any further public scrutiny. Nevertheless, I am minded to introduce a substantive amendment to clarify further and provide that the voting change to the development planning process will only apply in such instances. Unfortunately, in light of the tight timeframe, it is not possible to revert to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel with specific proposals to seek further legal advice. I assure the Senator that I have taken fully into consideration his strong input into this element of the debate. I will address it accordingly on Committee Stage in the Dáil and report back to the Seanad at a later stage, in light of the discussions initiated here.