Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position on the guidelines for strategic policy committees; if these committees that are established on planning by local authorities should have an opportunity to debate proposals that are put to county or city councils to vary development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33965/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The making, reviewing and varying of a development plan is a function of the elected members of the relevant local authority. It is the duty of such elected members to adopt the plan with the advice and guidance of their council officials and following extensive public consultation. Strategic Policy Committees, which are comprised of councillors and stakeholder interest groups, have an important role in the process. Guidelines for local authorities in relation to development plans, which were issued by my Department in 2007, set out best practices in this regard.