'Beyond ridiculous' that councillors cannot raise planning issues - Mayo senator

A Mayo Oireachtas member has called on Environment Minister Eamon Ryan to consider giving some sort of powers to councillors to allow them to raise planning issues at local authority level.

Senator Paddy Burke stated: "It has gone beyond the ridiculous when a councillor cannot raise an issue concerning planning at a council meeting.

"Where does accountability come into things? Where does transparency come in?

"If councillors have put a planning framework in place, then surely they should be able to ask questions about the transparency and accountability of that plan.

"It would be only right and fitting for councillors at certain times of the year to be able to raise issues regarding how such a plan is progressing and where it currently stands."