Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Can the Minister make an order on whether these amendments are necessary and, if this is the case, will the Minister consider making such an order? These are really interesting, creative and positive initiatives. We hear about all the work carried out by councillors with their grasp of local community issues and their expertise and interest. I support the intentions of both amendments, but personally I would be more inclined to see such a privilege given to local councillors in their local electoral areas. While taking into account the recognition of the role of councillors, it is a privilege and therefore I would be more inclined to support amendment No. 43.

Aside from this matter, councillors are stretched to the limit in the work they do and financially. One of the positive knock-on effects of this idea, to which Senator Humphreys referred, is an increase in the number of submissions and observations that are positive about planning applications. This process is not just about negative responses. The amendments recognise that submissions and observations are a key part of the work done by councillors, and this should be encouraged. The transparency of public submissions is also important. The best planning has a political input that is transparent and will be on the public record. This is consistent with Sinn Féin's calls for transparency in this legislation.