Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1153:

In page 658, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following:

“Prohibition on interference in performance of functions of planning authority, Commission or Maritime Area Regulatory Authority

506. (1) A relevant person shall not influence or attempt to influence a planning authority or the Commission in the performance of any of its functions, in relation to a request under section 10 or an application for permission or an appeal under Part 4, except where he or she is—

(a) the person who made the request,

(b) the applicant for permission, or

(c) a party to the appeal.

(2) Subject to this Act, a relevant person shall not influence or attempt to influence a planning authority or the Commission in the performance of any of its functions under section 12, Chapter 3 of Part 8 or Part 13, 14 or 16.

(3) A relevant person shall not influence or attempt to influence an enforcement authority, within the meaning of Part 11, in the performance of any of its functions under that Part.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a Minister of the Government is entitled to make submissions to a planning authority or the Commission in relation to an application for permission or an appeal under Part 4 where it is necessary or expedient for the effective performance of his or her functions under this Act or any other enactment.

(5) In this section “relevant person” means—

(a) a Minister of the Government,

(b) a person appointed under subsection (1) of section 1 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977 to be a Minister of State, or

(c) a special adviser to—

(i) a Minister of the Government, or

(ii) a person referred to in paragraph (b),

appointed under section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.”.

I wish to withdraw my amendment.