Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. The amendments tabled collectively by me and Senators Keogan and Boyhan have been requested by the Association of Irish Local Government which is a cross-party group. It involves all parties and none. I must bow to its members' knowledge. They are the people on the ground who must oversee planning in their areas.I accept the Minister's bona fides and I do understand the difficulties he has in some areas in getting planning through. However, I find it deeply disturbing that amendments being brought forward by the people on the ground through their representatives in this House are rejected. I will leave it at that. There is nothing more I can say.