Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have received a number of representations from Dublin city councillors on this matter in particular. I thank Senators Humphreys and Ó Ríordáin for raising it. While I do not want to pitch a situation between representation of urban and rural areas, the Senator makes some really valid points and I thank him for the engagement and for sending me some briefing notes on it. Dublin City Council is particularly concerned about it. I would like to hear what the Minister of State has to say. He should give it due regard. It is an issue that needs to be addressed and the real point is this democratic deficit.All along we have been talking about the need to empower local government in this planning process and to remember that local city and county councillors are elected by the people to represent them. They can be removed from office. They are closest to the community and they know more about planning issues than most. Yes, we want a professional planning system that is beyond reproach. I agree with the Minister of State and his officials in their efforts in that regard. We have to rely on the professionalism of the professional planners, but let us not get too removed. Let us bear in mind that city and county councillors have a huge amount of experience and knowledge. I am constantly reminded by city and county managers, or chief executives as they are now known, that they are always amazed by the local knowledge which people have. When one lives in a community and walks every nook and cranny of it, one knows everything and notices everything. One has a feel about a place and about how it ticks and how it operates. That gives great continuity. Local government is changing rapidly, particularly in terms of staff turnover and staff experience. The Minister of State should give very serious consideration to this democratic deficit and the associated issues. He might not have a complete answer today but there are very valid reasons to do so. Large numbers of Dublin city councillors have made representations to me on that matter.