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

That is fine, but there was considerable discussion in this Chamber, as well as in the Dáil and throughout the country, on the national planning framework. I travelled to meeting after meeting throughout the country and it passed through seven or eight committees. There was a great deal of consultation. The Houses of the Oireachtas gave powers to the committee to finalise the report on behalf of both Houses and it was included.

The Senator is absolutely wrong to say that at the end changes were made based on policy. I have been around the country for two and a half years with the plan and know from where the changes came. They came from the people who made submissions and had ideas. They were brought forward by councillors and many others, including those whom the Senator represents in this House. They included many good changes. The Senator's charge comes because the amendments were announced at the end, but I know from where they came because I tracked the debate throughout the process. I was involved in the consultation process. The same consultation process is involved here. We are actually begging people to get involved in it.