Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the context of the previous speaker's comments I believe the amendment goes a step towards what we are all trying to achieve. Senator Burke is correct. If we look at the current modus operandi under which we now operate as Oireachtas representatives in engaging with city or county councils, in many cases it is merely going through the motions. The level of dialogue or information to Senators is quite poor by comparison to that going to members of the council. Senator Paddy Burke alluded to giving meaning to councillors' contributions, and I think the Minister's amendment is trying to achieve it. Senator Coffey has said that councillors' views can be recorded through their expression, their recording and their submission to An Bord Pleanála. I know we are talking about in excess of 100 housing developments in this case, but to make the Bill better it is fundamental to look at - as was said by Senator Boyhan - the council executive, how it reports and what is the process and structure.

I am concerned about the level of engagement. We cannot live in the past all the time. We cannot allow the sins of a few to tarnish all who are involved in local government. We do, however, have local area committees, and ward meetings in the case of Cork city, and we have municipal districts. The Minister of State is trying to make the Bill a better one. I know we cannot be too proscriptive in how the management and councillors engage, record and report their meetings, but with regard to the views of chief executives on amendment No. 9 for example, perhaps the Minister of State could clarify the role of the chief executive now as contained in amendment No. 9. Senator Boyhan spoke about who meets, who records and so on, but we already have a process for minutes in local government which works well. I have a concern around whether the minute is merely a recording of a decision taken or is the amendment now sufficiently strong to show that the minutes should record the contributions and, as Senator Coffey has said, what was expressed and then the councillors being able to submit further? To be fair to the Minister of State and to Senator Boyhan we have come a long way since last week.Like Members on this side, the Senator has engaged. It is important that we do what is right. In some cases, planning has moved the hearts of towns and cities to the periphery. We need to avoid that, and the Minister's amendments go a long way in that respect.