Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I second the amendment. I listened to what the Minster of State said during the debate on an earlier Stage. As Senator Coffey said, what is proposed will change the statutory obligation on local authorities. The flooding during the past two weeks illustrated the need to maintain the status quo. Population centres of 2,000 and fewer require their own specific plan. I heard what the Minister of State said because I was in the Chamber when he spoke. There is no rationale for what he is trying to achieve. What is proposed in the legislation in this respect will result in the creation of a two-tier community. A dormant sleeper type development will be created. There is an obligation on the Minister of State, as the responsible line Minister, in conjunction with the authorities to make sure we have a sustainable community-led planning process which allows smaller, urban and rural communities to have their own development plan and local area plan.

I cite the Marsh community, which is part of Cork city, as a microcosm in this respect. If that community was in the middle of rural Cork, it would be absorbed into the wider, bigger catchment area and would be lost and forgotten. That is the fundamental point. I appeal to the Green members in the Chamber not to sell out the small community. It is imperative that the Minister of State listens to this point. This is about creating sustainable communities. It is about helping people in small communities, as Senator Coffey said, to have the plans and aspirations of people living in a big metropolis or a big urban town. If this amendment is not accepted, the situation will be different.

Senator Glynn asked if a matter might be considered when the Bill goes to the other House. If the Minister of State does not accept this amendment, I ask that he reflects upon it and accepts such a proposal in the other House, as this is an important amendment.