Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Boyd Barrett raised a valid point but I refer him to local area development plans, county and city development plans, regional development plans and national development plans because that is where the strategic approach to proposed development is outlined. The Deputy will agree that it was often the case in the past that we had development where services did not exist and, possibly, where developments should not have taken place. We will depend on focused and appropriate development plans being adopted by city and county councils which take account of national and strategic decisions in terms of infrastructure.

At present, we are developing a new national planning framework which will inform where much major infrastructure will be provided in terms of capacity and services. Local and regional development plans should follow that lead because if they deviate from it or are not aligned with the strategy then similar problems will arise to what we had in the past. Irish Water will have to prioritise where it invests and it will prioritise where demand is highest. It is a matter of local authorities liaising with regional authorities and all utilities and services, not just water.