Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While I understand the intention behind the proposed changes, I must oppose the amendment. Proposed new sections 11D(13) and 9A(4) already provide that a planning authority may make more than one decision to extend the duration of the existing development plan and take additional time to prepare a new development plan, but the cumulative period of any such periods shall not exceed one year. It would not be reasonable to restrict the planning authority to make only two decisions under these provisions as the period subject of the decisions may vary in length from one day to one year. The authority may, having made two decisions, take only a short period of additional time and subsequently require more time. Accordingly, these amendments are rejected.