19.— The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 27B (inserted by section 18):

“27C.— (1) Where a regional authority receives a notice from a planning authority under section 13(1) it shall prepare submissions and observations for the purposes of section 13(2).

(2) Submissions or observations made by the regional authority under subsection (1) shall contain a report which shall state whether, in the opinion of that authority, the draft variation of the development plan, and, in particular, its core strategy, are consistent with the regional planning guidelines in force for the area of the development plan.

(3) Where the opinion of the regional authority stated in the submissions or observations made and the report issued is that the proposed variation of the development plan and its core strategy are not consistent with the regional planning guidelines, the submissions and observations and report shall include recommendations as to what amendments, in the opinion of the regional authority, are required in order to ensure that the proposed variation to the development plan and its core strategy are so consistent.

(4) The regional authority shall send a copy of the report to the Minister.

(5) One or more regional authorities, who have been directed by the Minister to make regional planning guidelines for the purpose of section 21(3) in relation to a combined area of the regional authorities or in respect of any particular part or parts of the area which lie within the area of those regional authorities, shall make joint submissions or observations and issue a joint report for the purpose of this section, in respect of the combined area or particular part or parts of the area concerned and shall send a copy of the joint submissions or observations and joint report to the Minister.”.