Pat Casey (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise two things. Senator Boyhan raises something that is a hit and miss scenario. Each local authority treats this differently. Some do send out a weekly planning list to members, others do not. Weekly planning lists are available to any member of the public. I know the one in Wicklow, other counties may have a different system. This puts it into legislation that the council in the local area must be informed of an application being made under this legislation. It puts it in law where it is not in law now. Instead it is up to every local authority whether they send the public representatives the planning application list or not. There is no obligation to send it out. Under this legislation, they would have.

Senator Higgins has spoken of this zoning thing. I am a bit confused at this stage. It is my understanding that a chief executive must recommend a proposed zoning to the members by way of a report. That report is discussed at a meeting. If councillors approve it, then it goes on public display for adoption. I believe the council was doing its work and it copped it because the only way a zoning can be proposed is through local councillors.