Ivana Bacik (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 4, line 3, after “submissions” to insert “online and”.

I am standing in for Senator Higgins whose rationale for putting forward amendments Nos. 7 and 8 is as follows. As we are in an emergency period, it may not always be possible for persons to engage as directly with the planning process as they normally would. However, they may still wish to submit, in writing, their views regarding the planning and development process and they should not face barriers to submitting submissions. Senator Higgins's amendment No. 18 is requesting a report into the resources needed by local authorities to support the planning process. I know that is not part of this grouping but that amendment would provide clarity to the Government on additional resourcing that may be required by local authorities to support the different input processes that may be needed to ensure public participation rights are upheld.

It is not Senator Higgins's intention to press amendments Nos. 7 and 8 at this point.