Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Acting Chairman might indulge me in that I had meant earlier to convey our condolences in respect of Liam Gavin, who was director of roads in Galway County Council. We got the news earlier today that he passed away. Many Members may actually know him. He was a great man and a really good guy and it was a big shock for everyone. I convey our condolences to his family, colleagues and friends. It was a big shock for all of the councillors to whom I spoke. I neglected to mention it earlier.

In a similar vein to Senator Boyhan, I have concerns and seek clarification around this question of an authority's opinion.There is a growing concern in local authorities with the changes brought in under Putting People First and the reorganisation of their structures that even more powers are being taken away from local councillors while opinions such as this will only be sought from the executive. There may be situations where the councillors might not be aware of what opinions have been put forward in a report until after the fact when they examine an application.

That is part of the reason we would have concerns about this section. We still do not see an argument as to why the standard planning process has failed in any manner in strategic developments of over 100 houses. We have concerns in this regard because, no matter how good the members of the committee in An Bord Pleanála who will be assessing a planning application, an element of local knowledge is brought to bear. Sometimes it may be a thorn in the side of executives that local councillors bring that information to the table about specific developments. It is a valid part of the whole process of trying to find a plan which will sit properly in an area.

For example, in Galway, councillors were constantly told there were no moneys available for this, that and the other. An executive decision was made between Galway City Council and Galway County Council to buy an airport worth €1 million at the time, however. The councillors had not realised those moneys were available in the council. In many cases, a local authority executive can make decisions about which councillors have no idea and they get wrong-footed on it as a result. Local authority members are elected on behalf of the people. This highlights the concerns we have with this section.