As the Minister knows, Article 15 of the Constitution is very explicit on who has the authority to make laws for the State. It states: "The sole and exclusive power of making laws for the State is hereby vested in the Oireachtas: no other legislative authority has power to make laws for the State." Earlier, the Minister referred to the national planning framework being a policy. Of course, that is not the case. It has statutory impact. We will have a similar discussion when we move on to subsequent sections. Becaus…

There is a democratic deficit because this is not policy. That is the fundamental point. The national policy objectives have the force of law, and there is nothing in this section that streamlines anything in this regard. The national planning framework process is in place and the Minister is simply putting into law something that was not contained in the original Act. Deputy Healy-Rae hit the nail on the head. When Fine Gael and Labour designed the original national planning framework process, they had Oireachtas …

I move amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 178: To delete “in accordance with subsection (5) of section 23 ” and substitute “which has been approved by a resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas”.

I move amendment No. 180: In page 67, line 25, after “Oireachtas” to insert “and relevant Oireachtas Committees”.

I move amendment No. 181: In page 67, line 27, after “authorities” to insert “including local government representative bodies, which have recognition under the Local Government Act 2001”.

I move amendment No. 182: In page 67, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: "(e) board members of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge, the Minister responsible for the Gaeltacht and Language Planning Officers,".

I move amendment No. 183: In page 67, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following: "(h) prescribed bodies including in particular bodies with a remit to protect the natural environment, the built environment, archaeological and historic heritage, cultural heritage, and such bodies shall also include bodies which are not State Agencies or authorities, and which thus provide for a potentially more independent perspective on such matters;".

I move amendment No. 185: In page 68, to delete lines 7 to 15 and substitute the following: “(5) Where after the Government has completed a review under section 22 , it shall seek the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas for the revised or new National Planning Framework. (6) Where the Government has completed a review under section 22 , the draft of the revised or new National Planning Framework as the case may be, shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, and the revised or new National Planning Fra…

I move amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 186: To insert the following paragraph after paragraph (b): “(c) the observations made to the consultations under subsection (2) .”.

I move amendment No. 189: In page 68, lines 20 and 21, to delete all words from and including “(1)” in line 20, down to and including line 21 and substitute the following: “(1) In carrying out a review under section 22 , the Government shall have regard to such plans or documents as it considers appropriate, and to assist the identification and determination of appropriate and current information, the Government shall also consult with the Joint Oireachtas Committees who have remits in the areas including in respec…

I move amendment No. 190: In page 68, line 20, to delete “may” and substitute “shall”.

I move amendment No. 195: In page 69, line 4, to delete “Government” and substitute “Oireachtas”. When this legislation began its long and controversial life, we were promised that it would not only consolidate 20 years of complex planning legislation but that in doing so, it would also clarify that legislation, ensuring that it was easier for applicants and planning authorities to use, and as a result it would streamline decision-making and expedite the delivery of, for example, much-needed housing, renewable ener…

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Part of the problem with this section of the Bill and the rationale for this group of amendments is that it is not just the Opposition who are raising very real concerns with the way in which the planning policy statement architecture has been put in place; these concerns are also being raised by professional planners and the people who make planning applications and decide on planning applications. I am not at all against the idea of planning policy statements. I believ…

I move amendment No. 196: In page 69, line 4, after "Government" to insert "and the Houses of the Oireachtas".

I move amendment No. 197: In page 69, line 5, to delete " "National Planning Statement" " and substitute " "Ráiteas Pleanála Náisiunta" ".

I move amendment No. 198: In page 69, lines 8 and 9, to delete " "National Planning Policies and Measures" " and substitute " "Beartais Pleanála Náisiúnta" ".

I move amendment No. 199: In page 69, line 11, to delete " "National Planning Policy Guidance" " and substitute " "Treoraíocht Polasaí Pleanála Náisiúnta" ".

I move amendment No. 200: In page 69, line 12, to delete "Government" and substitute "Oireachtas".

I move amendment No. 202: In page 69, to delete lines 14 to 25 and substitute the following: "(3) When the Minister proposes to issue, amend or revoke a National Planning Statement, the Minister shall consult with the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee on the draft National Planning Statement and given due consideration to any recommendations it makes in respect of the draft. (4) When the Minister proposes to issue, amend or revoke a National Planning Statement, the Minister shall lay before each House of the Oire…

I move amendment No. 203: In page 69, line 21, after "therein" to insert "but such date shall not be any less than one week following the publication,".