Munster Express Online

Speaking during last Wednesday’s second-stage debate on the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009, Fine Gael Deputy John Deasy raised what he sees as serious problems with senior management’s attitude to the planning system in Waterford County Council. Here’s exactly what he had to say:

“I will not speak on regional guidelines, spatial strategies or local development plans. I will focus on one issue, namely, one-off planning and the service that is provided to the public when it comes to local authorities and the planning process… I accept that the Bill is an attempt to formalise and delineate the roles and relationships that exist between county and city managers, planners, councillors and, most importantly, the public.

The Bill refers to improving the quality of individual planning decisions and introducing greater coherence in the planning process. It mandates that a proposed or draft direction would be issued regarding local area plans in the first instance to seek local views before any final direction is issued. Interestingly enough, it also refers to the efficient use of taxpayers’ money. Some might say the Bill micromanages planning matters throughout the country from the Minister’s office. However, it is a genuine attempt to clear up certain ambiguities in the planning process and to clarify the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved, be it the councillor, official or member of the public. The reality is that to date the interpretation of planning Acts and how they were implemented on a daily basis has almost always been the realm of officials and management in local authorities.

See The Munster Express newspaper for full story.