asked the Minister for Local Government if he will take steps to ensure that the public are made aware that they may make objections or representations for a period of three months in relation to all draft development plans, and that the simple procedures to be adopted in making such representations and objections are clearly understood.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Draft Development Plans.
34.
Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, notice of the making of a draft development plan must be published by each planning authority in Iris Oifigiúil and in at least one newspaper circulating in the area. The notice must say where and when, during a period of three months at least, a copy of the draft plan may be inspected, and that objections and representations made to the planning authority during that period will be considered before the plan is made. The notice must also indicate that any ratepayer making objection to the draft plan may include in his objection a request to be afforded an opportunity to state his case before a person or persons appointed by the planning authority. The planning authority must make arrangements to hear the statements of such objectors and all representations, objections and statements duly made must be considered before the plan is actually made.
As I have stressed on various public occasions, the provision for public participation in the process of making development plans is a key element in the planning legislation. These are plans for community development and it is very important that the members of the community and development interests should avail of their rights to make known their views and objections and should suggest any changes which they think would make for a better plan.
Any member of the public can have his views or objections taken into account simply by writing to the planning authority concerned while the draft plan is on public display. A ratepayer expressing objection to a draft plan is entitled, if he wishes, to include in his letter of objection a request for an oral hearing.
In addition to various public statements which my predecessor and I have made emphasising the rights of members of the public to make representations and objections, this matter has also been stressed in circular letters issued by my Department to local planning authorities and—most recently—in a letter with some accompanying notes for guidance addressed by me personally to each member of every planning authority.
I am now arranging that a booklet will shortly be available to the public explaining what development plans are, why they are of particular public interest and concern, and how public consultation is provided for.
Would the Minister agree that the format and verbiage in public authority notices is not of a kind to attract a wide readership and would he encourage local authorities to ensure that the notices are in an attractive and obvious form so that they will not go unnoticed by the general public?
Every effort has been made to let the public know what their rights, and indeed their duties, are in this regard.