Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 7, line 40, after “assess” to insert “and make legally binding determinations on”.

In supporting these amendments, I remind the House of what the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments said in respect of the need for an independent planning regulator. In the relevant section of the tribunal findings, under planning, Judge Mahon stated:

Finally, with regard to enforcement, the tribunal is concerned that the recent changes to the planning system have resulted in an over-centralisation of power in the hands of the Minister for the Environment which is not subject to sufficient checks and balances. Consequently, the tribunal is recommending that the Minister for the Environment's ability to give directions to Regional Authorities and Local Planning Authorities should be entrusted to a planning regulator. However, the Minister for the Environment should continue to play a key role in adopting the national spatial strategy and the national development plan.

I intend to call a vote on this amendment.