Fianna Fáil has been slammed for voting against its own Seanad amendment calling for a vote on the final draft of the National Planning Framework (NPF).

Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin TD, accused the party of a political u-turn by voting with the government against two amendments they managed to get passed in the Seanad.

"One of the key Seanad amendments to the Planning and Development Bill currently working its way through the Dáil is one that was moved by Fianna Fáil in Seanad calling for a vote on the final draft of the government's NPF," he said.

-- Advertisement --

"When the NPF was launched in February, Sinn Féin began raising questions about the validity of the plan without a vote of the Oireachtas as stipulated in the government's own Planning Bill.

"Other parties also articulated their concerns at the time. The then Fianna Fáil housing spokesperson Barry Cowen said: "In fact, Fianna Fáil has put down a number of amendments in the Seanad to strengthen the role of the Oireachtas in overseeing the National Planning Framework'".

Continuing, Deputy Ó Broin said Fianna Fáil's move is another example of the party "trying to have its cake and eat it".

"Stand with the opposition when there is something for them to gain and vote with the government when they remember they are in fact propping up Fine Gael," he said.

"Since the NPF was launched the government has sought to circumvent a provision contained in their own legislation and avoid an Oireachtas vote on the plan. This plan is an important legal document and for Sinn Féin it is completely unacceptable that a planning document that will shape the development of the State until 2040 is not subject to a democratic vote."

(LM)