Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

There is quite a lot to respond to. Before I respond specifically to the amendments, I will make a few points on the contributions made, starting with Senator Gavan.

The night-time economy and general points about the closure of venues were raised earlier. There is a really significant role both in the town centre first policies and town centre teams at local level. The issues of transport hackneys and policing forums were raised, all of which have an important role. At local level, the animation of the night-time economy and the work led by the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin with the night-time economy task force was valuable. It really is down at local level that communities can play an active part in the revitalisation of their towns, but also to ensure that for those who are living in towns, they make our towns vibrant for living in, not just in the daytime but in the evening-time as well. That is hugely important.

Senator Higgins raised the issue of a power grab and the broader issue of sustainable development and the SDGs, which we discussed earlier. The wider discussion about the definition of "sustainable development", be it the Brundtland Commission's 1972 definition around one which meets the present needs without compromising the needs of future generations, has evolved significantly since then. The issues around protected structures and the role of local government and elected members have been raised consistently by Members this afternoon. The legislation will not deal with the issues around the power imbalance. I welcome, and partook in, the consultation led by the Seanad on the future of local of government. That is going to be an important report, but it is for another day.

Senator Moynihan raised issues regarding the national planning statements, rural housing and the need to publish the rural housing guidelines, as did a number of Senators. The guidelines are subject to a legal review by the Attorney General's office and the position remains, as set out in the updated and revised NPF, that we should support rural communities and rural housing based on local need and the social and economic issues raised by Senator Casey as well. These are expressed in county development plans currently. Many issues relating to rural housing are not just about local need, but are also about service, quality of well water, the deterioration of groundwater supplies, the inspection of sceptic tanks and rural transport. I recognise the competing demands, but also that all of us are representing different areas and have different views on that. That is where the rural housing guidelines are at present.

Senator McDowell raised the issue of power grabs and a recipe for stopping things from happening. I fundamentally disagree with the points raised by him, where he effectively said that this Bill was not necessary; it is absolutely necessary. He has also brought into question issues of CPO powers and local authorities. Again, there are differing experiences across the country. Some seem to do it better than others, but I concede that it is an onerous and very difficult task for local authorities. Comments such as this being drafted by "an elite in Dublin" are simply not the case. We all live in this country together and all have a role to play. The planners live in their own communities as well. We all want to see a planning system that works for everybody, that is participative and inclusive, and that supports communities and balanced development.

Senator Chambers raised the issue of the Planning Regulator, as did a number of Members. To reiterate, as Senator Casey mentioned this as well, the OPR will have no role in the preparation of the NPF, or national planning statements. It is the role of the Minister, not the OPR. The OPR is an independent regulator. Policy is set by the Minister in government, not by the OPR. The Planning Regulator does not produce policy. The most senior level planner in each local authority is at least at senior planner level. I think a comment was made that they are not planners. That is a senior local authority grade with a role to produce advice to directors of services, chief executives and the elected members, who have a critically important role, a reserved function in the development of development plans. The OPR has three main strategy functions: to independently assess all statutory forward planning of all local authorities, including development plans and local area plans; to carry out organisation reviews of the systems and procedures used by any planning authority, including An Bord Pleanála, in the performance of any of their planning functions; and to drive national research, training, education and public information programmes. The criticism of the OPR seems to have been consistent with this Bill and its passage through the Houses. It has been completely unwarranted. The OPR is in place for a specific role. It has an important oversight role and is performing a valuable function in our planning system.

Senator Flynn raised points about the Traveller community. I will speak to that amendment separately but will make a general comment about the needs of Traveller communities and Traveller-specific accommodation. I know only too well from the work I do with Traveller families in my own constituency that the needs of Traveller families are changing. From one Traveller accommodation programme, TAP, to another, they are moving. Many families are not opting for Traveller-specific accommodation. The local Traveller accommodation consultative committees, LTACCs, have a vital role in ensuring that in developing the TAP at a local level, there is meaningful engagement with Traveller families. Sometimes there is not. It is important that members of the Travelling community are included in the development of the Traveller accommodation plans.

As Senator Flynn acknowledged during a conversation we had earlier, the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon; and his predecessors, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell; and the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, in their roles as Minister of State with responsibility for Traveller accommodation have made significant strides in ensuring that local authorities meet their requirements by spending their budgets and ensuring there is no interference in the allocation of Traveller-specific accommodation. That is important, and needs to happen at a local level. I have seen instances where elected members have intervened in the allocation of houses for Traveller families. That should not happen, plain and simple. I recognise that this Government has made significant strides to ensure that local authorities meet the requirements for Traveller accommodation. It is important that the Travelling community and Traveller representative organisations are included in those processes.

Senator Dolan raised points about the regional assemblies, including the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, NWRA, and the development of the regional spatial and economic strategy, RSES. She mentioned Athlone specifically. There are objectives in the RSESs of both the NWRA and the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly for them to work together in planning for the development of Athlone as a Border settlement. That is facilitated specifically by a provision in sections 29(10) and 29(11) of the planning Bill. The Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform, and the national planning framework, NPF, recognise the need to address relatively lower levels of growth in the north west, including through infrastructure. This is supported by the national development plan, NDP. There is an NDP project tracker online that illustrates public investment in areas. That is important. I recognise the points that have been made about regional imbalance, particularly in the northern, midlands and western regions where there is a significant challenge. That is not to say that the local authorities and regional assemblies are not doing fantastic work but it is important that at a central government level, we are conscious of the need for balanced regional development.

I think those were the main points that were raised.