Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The fact that we are in a hurry is not my fault. The Government had the prerogative and chose to put this Bill through All Stages in one hour.

To be very clear, I have the same concerns about sections 9 to 11, inclusive. We are taking away another small element of the checks and balance system in our planning architecture. If issues arise further down the line then we need to be really clear that that is done. I do not think that that is necessary. These checks and balances could be accommodated within the Department but an explicit realisation needs to exist whereby certain functions need to be in balance with certain other functions and how those are divided. This has nothing to do with who is in which roles. This has to do with having an appropriate architecture that will stand the test of time if other persons take on senior or junior ministries within these roles. It is a fact that the Minister with responsibility for planning is meant to check in with somebody whose primary focus is heritage in terms of certain functions that he or she performs. That is my core point but it has not been addressed. I would like this matter to be addressed in the legislation. If not, then I would like to hear a commitment that there is an intention to address it in the practical operation of these provisions.