Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 8:

In page 21, to delete lines 16 to 45 and in page 22, to delete lines 1 to 19.

We propose to delete the sections related to the report of the regional authority and the preparation of draft development plans because of the top-down approach to planning this legislation will foster. All city and county development plans will be required by law to comply with regional authority guidelines. Previously, I outlined that the regional authorities as currently structured do not have the resources to formulate development plans in the same manner, on the same consultative basis and with the same representative basis as local county and city development plans. I pointed out that regional authority members are essentially delegations from local authorities, not directly elected from the regions. They do not advocate the interests of the wider region.

I recognise they have a role in co-ordinating local authorities and the way development plans progress within a given region. However, we believe this is a step too far and that it represents a top-down approach with which we are not satisfied. This is why we propose the deletion of a large section referring to regional authorities. We believe it would create an unfair hierarchy of planning and that a bottom-up approach is preferable. As I outlined previously, improvements are required in planning laws and in the way in which development plans are formulated. However, we believe this is not the correct approach and that it further removes the formulation of plans from local people, communities and local elected representatives, who are directly elected every five years. This is why we propose the amendment.