Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for their contributions. We have discussed these amendments and they have a great deal of merit. The two amendments are similar. I said on Committee Stage that we would work together to see how we can move the situation forward. There is merit in such proposals although I did flag there may be issues around structure and wording.I note that the Senators have come back with a revised wording for such a provision. As I have said, amendments Nos. 6 and 7 are very similar but I am happy to accept an amendment in this regard. Given that amendments Nos. 6 and 7 aim to provide for a broadly similar provision, we do not need both amendments. I recognise that Senators Boyhan, Keogan, Higgins, Ruane, Craughwell and Black have all worked on similar amendments. Therefore, I am accepting amendment No. 7 as the wording is consistent with the general wording of the Bill. That is the amendment that Senators Boyhan and Keogan have just been talking about. I would genuinely like to thank all Senators from both sides of the House for the constructive nature of the discussions around this provision. To put it in context, Senator Boyhan is right when she says it is about bringing planning back to local government. The SHD process review said it was good that councillors were involved in the submission stage, but it only went to the board then. As we discussed on Second Stage and Committee Stage, we want to have both. When every application is lodged, every local elected representative is going to know about it. He or she must be informed about it. It must not happen on an ad hoc basis and must not depend on which council is involved. Every councillor will be advised when an LRD is applied for. I thank the Senators for amendment No. 6 but I cannot accept it. Amendment No. 7 is more precise and I am happy to accept it.