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

I refer the Senators to section 34 of the principal Act which, as amended on Committee Stage, means that every councillor will know when every application is lodged under this process. It states:

Where a planning authority receives an application for permission to which section 32A(1) applies it shall— (a) notify the elected members of the planning authority of the making of the application, of where the application is available for inspection, and of such other information as may be prescribed.

That removes any discretion. Planning lists were being issued on an ad hocbasis in certain local authorities. I respect our councillors, as Senator Boyhan knows. This Government, since taking office, has done work on councillors' terms and conditions, maternity leave, with the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, me and others, and restoring powers to local government. We will continue to do that.

I understand the thrust of the Senators' amendments. I do not think they are required. They might in one respect be overly onerous for many in that they apply to every single application that is made. I have already allowed for the fact that, and made sure that, the planning authority lets every elected member of that local authority be aware of this. I thank the Senators for tabling their amendments but I will not accept them.