Mr. Kevin Kelly:

It is my opinion on how it could be challenged in due course. The bottom line is we are at a point where we are very close to submitting a full project that would deal with all those issues. If we secured approval for that, elements of the project can be brought ahead and delivered more quickly in advance.

As for IDA Ireland lands, there have been initiatives in some locations, such as an advanced facility that was recently approved for Ballinasloe. We have engaged on an ongoing basis with IDA Ireland and it is aware of the availability of lands. There are lands that have seen the benefit of planning permission that have not come forward for development. IDA Ireland has been trying to secure development of those lands and I met representatives of various enterprises with IDA Ireland in that regard over a period. From the county's perspective, we would dearly love to see some of those lands developed, available, zoned and serviced etc.

The point was raised about the overall accommodation of population growth. When we tease through the detail of the national planning framework, there will be a piece about how much development will be in the city and within the city and metropolitan area. It is quite clear from recent decisions on strategic housing developments that there is a clear indication that the metropolitan area must deliver higher densities in the commuter belt of Barna, Moycullen etc. In advance of the required infrastructure that we have spent the afternoon speaking about, it would be a real challenge to have additional higher densities at those locations without supporting infrastructure.