Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Boyhan, I am a member of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government and I attended all the meetings. I wish to address the plans for my area. I recognise and appreciate the work that was done. The national planning framework has a massive impact on people's lives. It relates to development plans in local areas. Having a vote here is crucial. There was a misunderstanding regarding what happened when the national framework was launched. We had a big launch. We all need the national framework because it frames our counties, cities and towns. It is crucial for Oireachtas Members to have a vote. I cannot understand the Minister of State's suggestion that it might delay the process. It is part of the Department's remit to do this. I ask the Minister of State to explain how Oireachtas Members having a vote could hold it up. It is all about working with people throughout Ireland. We need to ensure the excellence of this national planning framework because it will have a massive impact on people's lives. For years, I worked on development plans in my local authority and I can see the important part they play in people's lives. We want this done right. I know the hard work that has gone into developing the plans.

As I said on the previous occasion, 1,000 is a very small number of submissions. I know the Minister of State has travelled throughout the country. Is he concerned about the small number of submissions?

I ask the Minister of State to come back to me on my amendment to insert the words "by vote" so that the Dáil and Seanad can have a say on this.