Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was present last week when we discussed this matter ad nauseam. As Senator Boyhan mentioned, this is probably the matter that we discussed the most. He made many good points then and I added a few. Going through my notes, our main discussion was on bringing this back to a local level, for example, counties, larger dwelling areas in cities, municipalities, areas, etc. The Minister has done his best to address this flaw. The meeting will be open like all such meetings and the chief executive will synopsise the concerns of councillors at the meeting for An Bord Pleanála when it is making its decision. Quite a great deal of work has been done on this amendment. I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State or those from whom it came, but what was presented to us on the first day was shoddy. Certain proposals have been clarified or strengthened.

Another point that was raised is not evident under this section. Perhaps it is further on. I am referring to fees in the planning process. Previously, the Minister referred to the possibility of proportionate fees, the planning fee, etc. Will the Minister of State clarify this matter? The Minister gave an undertaking as regards various fees for planning permission being allocated to the relevant counties, but I may be overlooking it in this section.

I thank the Minister of State. We are supportive of this amendment.