Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 15 seeks to insert a provision that provides for the laying of a report by the Minister before both Houses of the Oireachtas following the introduction of these proposed legislative amendments. Specifically, amendment No. 15 seeks to impose ministerial obligations to lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas within 18 months of the passing of this Bill outlining the implications or impact of this legislation. While I understand the intention behind the proposed amendment, I am opposing it because existing planning reporting arrangements are already in place and fit for purpose.

All planning decisions and related information are published promptly on the website of An Bord Pleanála and specific arrangements are now in place to allow Members of both Houses to make direct inquiries of the board regarding subsequent consent planning matters. These provisions, which relate to the assessment of individual projects by the board, have no substantive impact on the policies and objectives contained in each local authority's development plan, which is adopted pursuant to the reserve functions of each member of the council. For these reasons, I am opposing amendment No. 15.