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

Senator Humphreys also has amendments which deal with this issue. His point about the imbalance is recognised, certainly for the mid-east local authority areas. We will look at that and while this legislation is probably not the appropriate place to do that, there are other mechanisms by which to do that. I have engaged with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce around this and have reflected what Senator Humphreys is saying. The mechanisms include ways of calculating that might not be right either, but there might be a more appropriate place to deal with that. I will discuss it with Members later. However, we recognise that this can be adjusted. Having been a councillor and an area councillor, and given most Members have been councillors as well, we all know that, very often, local municipal areas make the main development decisions and recommendations for their areas, and that happens at regional level too. Nonetheless, I accept there could be strengthening to make sure the voices are strong enough on each side. We are happy to look at that and while it is not really for this Bill, there is a process in place to do it.