Ba mhaith liom cheist a fhreagairt ón Teachta O'Callaghan. I am not accepting these amendments. The national planning framework deals with the national planning system. When we get to Part 7, we will deal with the affordable housing provision. We could have a general discussion on housing but I want to focus on a couple of points. Housing output is very important and it is increasing substantially. I point out to Deputy Boyd Barrett that more than 4,000 affordable houses were delivered last year and over 6,000 will…

I move amendment No. 127: In page 65, line 13, to delete “broad”.

I move amendment No. 140: In page 65, lines 25 and 26, to delete “outlining how the pursuit and achievement of the national climate objective is to be integrated” and substitute “the integration of the pursuit and achievement of the national climate objective and National Biodiversity Action Plan”.

I move amendment No. 148: In page 65, lines 30 and 31, to delete “development requirements”.

I move amendment No. 167: In page 66, line 20, to delete “20 years.” and substitute “20 years from the coming into effect of the framework, which period shall be specified in the National Planning Framework.” All the amendments in this group relate to improving clarity of language regarding the timeframes involved in reviewing and making the national planning framework. I will go through each of them. Amendment No. 167 clarifies that the 20-year maximum period in relation to the national planning framework refers t…

I am listening. The half an acre.

Ar an gcéad dul síos, freagróidh mé ceisteanna an Teachta Ó Snodaigh faoin gcreat náisiúnta pleanála. Cuirtear gach dréachtchreat náisiúnta pleanála os comhair an phobail chun a chuid tuairimí a fháil. Tá sé sin scríofa ar leathanach 66 den Bhille freisin. On public consultation, we have been very clear that we will engage with stakeholders extensively on every draft plan. It is as broad as could possibly be and everything is listed on page 67 of the Bill. Let me answer a couple of questions in the short time I hav…

There was quite a bit of repetition there and I will not go over all of it. Earlier I was asked by Deputy Matthews about the timeframes for the publication of the draft NPF. We are on track for the draft stage to go out in June or July. There will be publication of the draft national planning framework amendment stage in August and final stage in September. We are still on track for this. With regard to the question raised by Deputy Ó Broin on whether the national planning framework is a policy statement or include…

There has been a whole question about democratic deficits and such things. We listened to Deputy Gould at the end speaking about it. The bottom line is that all of us here are elected in our constituencies. The Dáil then elects the Government. I know there were even some questions previously about whether someone getting elected on the fifth, sixth or seventh count has greater weighting then someone elected on the first count. Deputy Gould has not raised that argument, whereby people previously questioned democrati…

There is no conspiracy.

Deputy Gould knows what I am talking about. Deputy Gould remembers the references made after the last general election to people getting elected on the fifth, sixth or seventh counts. I did not hear him arguing about it-----

I will get back to the point.

It is great that the Deputy has said that. Excellent, well done. That clarifies it.

I should not have gone down that road. What I am saying is that we have already been very clear and responded to the questions that have been asked. I am not accepting the amendments to this section that have been tabled by the Opposition. I have also been very clear on further changes that we made on consultation. I make the point to Deputy Ó Snodaigh that I was referring to the role of Údarás na Gaeltachta regarding consultation at development plan level and An Coimisinéir Teanga. We have made these changes. This…

I move amendment No. 168: In page 66, to delete lines 32 and 33.

I move amendment No. 169: In page 66, line 34, to delete "subsequent".

I move amendment No. 170: In page 66, line 34, to delete "1 year" and substitute "2 years".

I move amendment No. 171: In page 66, line 37, to delete "completion of the previous review under this section." and substitute "completion, in accordance with subsection (7 ), of the previous review.".

I move amendment No. 172: In page 67, line 3, after "on" to insert "the date of publication, by the Central Statistics Office, of the final results of".

I move amendment No. 173: In page 67, line 4, to delete "completion of the previous review under this section." and substitute "completion, in accordance with subsection (7) , of the previous review.".