The Government remains committed to ensuring the highest standards of public consultation and democratic accountability in planning and the planning code is kept under review in my Department to ensure that there continues to be appropriate participation by public representatives and by third parties in decision-making and policy formulation. The role of elected representatives in the planning process is part of that wider consideration. In the context of forthcoming Guidelines to Planning Authorities on Local Area Plans provision is made for further and deeper public consultation with all stakeholders in the process. This will be supplemented by policy guidance in other areas of the planning system.