Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 13 seeks to delete the repeal of section 177B of the 2000 Act. This section gives power to local authorities to give notice of direction to developments to apply for substitute consent. Its repeal is a regressive step and removes local authorities from this part of the planning process. It marks another point where we are disempowering our local authorities and removing local community representatives from the planning process. I do not think we have received an adequate explanation as to why the section is being repealed. I completely oppose its removal. It is disheartening to see power being taken away from councillors again.