Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have full confidence councillors can withstand that. However, it is something to bear in mind and it is something we are conscious of too. We have all been there. Most of us have been councillors at some stage. We know what comes to the desk as well. That is something we are looking at.

On the timelines, there was a lot of merit in what Senator Lombard said in respect of the cycle of elections as they relate to development plans, because we do have a set time for local elections. We can bear that in mind. The issue in the plan would be in relation to the national planning framework. The follow on then will be completed in the weeks ahead and it is hoped the regional strategy will be completed by 2018, and reflected in the county development plans from 2019 onwards. That is the link from the national into the regional and local.

I remind everybody again the regional plans are key. The national planning framework sets out the national vision and the business case for investment throughout the country, as Senator Humphreys has said. However, the regional plans go down into more detail and then there are the county plans. I emphasise to Senator Murnane O'Connor as well that it is national plan and not a Carlow plan. I want to be very clear on that.