Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 27:

In page 44, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:

“Amendment of section 13 of the Principal Act

8.Section 13 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting the following subsection after subsection (1):“(1A) (a) The members of a planning authority may at any time, for stated reasons, submit a resolution to the manager of the planning authority requesting him or her to prepare a report on a proposal by them to initiate a process to consider the variation of the development plan which for the time being is in force where three quarters of the members of that authority have approved such a resolution,

(b) the manager of a planning authority shall submit a report further to a request under paragraph (a) to the elected members within four weeks of the adoption of the resolution.”.”.

I thank the Minister of State. This has been a good process in which we have teased out a lot. I also thank the officials for their ongoing discussion of the issue. I take on board that we cannot allow for abuse of the measure. I agree that there should be a review at some point. The Minister of State referred to a circular. It is important that we still have a circular because we will need clarification. The legislation is good and councillors of all parties and none will be very happy with it because it addresses a major concern.