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

Amendments Nos. 152 and 154 propose to delete certain provisions within the Bill relating to the functions of the OPR in relation to development plans and other statutory plans and insert the requirement to have regard to certain plans and obligations in the performance of their functions. I am opposing any proposal to remove functions of the OPR as this would not be appropriate as these have been statutory functions of the OPR since its establishment and it is the body with the powers to carry out such functions. These functions play a significant role in the operation of the planning system as a whole and are, therefore, appropriately vested in the OPR. The OPR exists to ensure the quality of Ireland’s planning process is founded upon the implementation of agreed policies and that the delivery of planning functions is efficient, effective, outcome-focused and participative.The Senator is correct that I cannot accept these amendments.

I am unable to accept amendment No. 156. It seeks to delete section 81, which provides for the continuation in force of pre-commencement local area plans. This is an important transitional arrangement. It provides that any local area plan in force immediately before the commencement of Chapter 6 of Part 3 shall continue in force for the remainder of the period stated in the plan or until a new development plan has been made in respect of the functional area to which the local area plan relates, whichever occurs first. The members of a planning authority have the power to extend the period for which a local area plan is to remain in force provided that a new development plan has not been made in respect of the functional area to which the local area plan relates. Where a new development plan has been made, any extended local area plan will cease to have effect once the new development plan comes into effect. Transitional arrangements are necessary to allow for a smooth transition between the old and new planning processes, which I am sure Members can appreciate.