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

I will address together amendments Nos. 26, 30 and 31, as grouped by the Bills Office. The amendments have been tabled by Senator Higgins and, unfortunately, I must oppose them.

As regards amendment No. 26, the proposed new section 11D already requires, at subsection (5)(c), that the report of the chief executive shall list the persons or bodies who made submissions or observations under that section. This may include the Office of the Planning Regulator as the planning authority is required under subsection 11D(3) to notify the Office of the Planning Regulator and to provide a summary of the issues raised in submissions and observations made.

As regards amendment No. 30, subsection (5) of the proposed new section 11D already requires that a summary of the submissions and observations received is included in the chief executive's report prepared for the members. Subsection (6) clarifies the matters which the members may consider and, accordingly, any relevant submissions and observations received will form part of this consideration.

Regarding amendment No. 31, subsection (9), subsection (a) of the proposed new section, 11D, already provides that members of the planning authority shall consider the proposed extension of duration of the existing development plan and the report to the chief executive under subsection (5). Accordingly, the amendments are not necessary and are rejected.