Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I very much support this opportunity for elected members of local authorities to choose and decide the times they can put into the county development plan. As has been stated, it is one year. This is very important because at present many members of the public are excluded. It is impossible to see a file or attend local authority offices, and for good reason given public health guidelines. This means it is difficult for anyone who does not have access to technology. We speak about the digital divide and if people do not have access to a laptop or smartphone, they cannot access this information. Much of our population, especially in the area I am in, which is Roscommon and east Galway, is in an older age group and they cannot access this information. They depend on our media and public representatives to give them information. I very much support the motion and the fact it gives the decision to our elected members and the councillors.

Following on from Senator Cummins with regard to planning, the Minister mentioned an extension of planning permission. Is this where substantial works have taken place? I would like a description of these substantial works. As an aside, is it possible for online meetings for local authorities to be considered? By these I mean the plenary meetings in municipal districts. Some local authorities have implemented this and people can view the meetings as they take place. Will broadening this out to all local authorities be considered and will the Minister consider providing incentives to do so? It is a great way of accessing for people who may not be able to attend. Considering there will be many limitations with regard to the number of people in rooms, it is very difficult to access them.