Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am proposing amendment No. 63 which is linked to the proposals on a local economic and community plan for which provision is being made in the new sections 66A to 66H and which we will discuss later. The new provisions for the local economic and community plan will cover, in section 66H, the making of regulations concerning the new integrated plan. Accordingly, the provisions of section 128F(2)(c) covering the making of regulations for the stand-alone community plan are no longer required. This amendment also provides for the making of regulations in respect of administrative arrangements for LCDC meetings, such as scheduling and notification of meetings. This had not been provided for in the original Bill.

Amendment No. 65 proposes new additional texts to that which I have proposed to be deleted via amendment No. 63. However, as with the previous amendment No. 56, I am satisfied that the references to "community" in the Bill are sufficient to encompass communities of interest.

With regard to amendment No. 64, this same point was raised on Report Stage in the Dáil, and I gave a commitment to look at it. I can confirm therefore that in the amendments I am including today in respect of the local economic and community plan, there is provision for the making of regulations in relation to engagement and consultation with communities as part of the planning process under section 66H(2)(j).