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

Amendments Nos. 27 and 29 are Government amendments. Amendment No. 27 should clarify that the provision relates to a planning authority as opposed to the Planning Authority. Amendment No. 29 is also a technical drafting amendment recommended by the Office of the Attorney General to ensure that where a planning authority is considering the effects of the proposed extension of duration of an existing development plan on the environment and on the integrity of a European site, it must also, as appropriate, consider the proposal in combination with any previous extension to that plan.

Unfortunately, I must oppose amendment No. 28, tabled by Senator Higgins. Subsection (6) of the proposed new section 11D relates to matters which the members of the authority may consider when making a decision whether to extend the duration of an existing development plan. Under these provisions, this consideration is limited to the particular reasons relating to the implications of Covid-19 restrictions for the making of a new development plan and the environmental implications of the proposal to extend the duration of the existing plan. The members may not consider any variation to the existing plan. It is therefore considered appropriate to ensure that the wording of the provision is clear in this regard. Accordingly, the amendment is rejected.