Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 15 seeks to ensure that within 18 months of the passing of the Act, the Minister lays a report before the Houses on the impact of the "legislation in respect of the powers of local authorities with regard to the substitute consent process and the way in which the process impacts on the policies and objectives contained within each local authority’s Local Development Plan".As I mentioned earlier, this Bill removes local authorities entirely from the process and is a regressive step, particularly at a time when we are trying to return powers to city and county councillors and when local authorities are finalising their development plans. It also increases the power of An Bord Pleanála, an organisation we know as a matter of public record is not without its flaws and controversies. I hope the Minister of State will accept this amendment.