Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Cussen and the team for coming in today. We have gone through much of this ground ourselves. I can only speak for myself in the Seanad but I know it is the same in the Dáil. On a personal level, I welcome the national planning framework and the plan. I believe it is a positive plan. The national strategic outcomes envisaged are all positive. We talk about compact growth, enhanced regional accessibility, strengthening and empowering rural economies and sustainable mobility. I am keen to touch on some of the issues, including: the need for a strong economy; supporting enterprise, innovation and skills; rural housing and urban housing; and how to operate within the master plan. Certainly, some people will not be happy with it, but at least it is a plan and something that is committed. It is not all going to materialise. It is like any county development plan in that it does not all happen, but at least it can be amended, adjusted or tweaked. That is important.

Under the plan we refer to enhanced zones. The Department has dealt comprehensively with amenities, heritage and transport. I am supportive of the general broad outcome and the national strategic objectives of the plan. However, when we consider the strategic investment priorities things get a little more complex and that is important to note. We know we have to increase some areas. We have a housing crisis and we have to increase housing. The planners have referred to that and to sustainable development, urban development and rural development. I have dealt with enterprise and the capacity to grow our enterprise and our economy in future. That is all set out in the plan. I have already touched on matters of culture, heritage and sport.

On the face of it, it is a good plan. It is a brave political establishment or grouping that would set out and commit to these objectives. The main question now is how the plan matches funding in future in terms of how we roll out the capital funding for the plan. Another aspect is how we co-ordinate the plan with all 31 local authorities.

Mr. Cussen touched on this point. We have 31 local authorities. How do we ensure coherent translation of the plan into policy? The Department officials will be aware that we have city and county development plans throughout the 31 local authorities. They are all running on different timelines in all 31 local authorities. How will the Department set out how these can be dovetailed? There will have to be changes in county development plans and structures following these plans. I am keen to know the views on that.

Mr. Cussen said that, subsequent to publication on 16 February last by the Government, the Department has written to local authorities, regional assemblies and An Bord Pleanála notifying them that the national planning framework constitutes national planning policy in accordance with section 2 of the Planning and Development Act. The policy has not yet been approved by Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann or the Houses of the Oireachtas. That is simply a point I want to make. I am not entering into that debate, but there was an expectation that the national planning framework would be adopted by both Houses and that has not happened. Anyway, the Department officials are telling us now that they have written to the relevant people notifying them that the framework is now the policy. This is something Department officials might bear in mind. There was an expectation that the Houses of the Oireachtas would approve the framework, yet all 31 local authorities have been told this is the policy. I recommend that the Department official bear that in mind.

I am keen for the Department to take the lead in promoting, educating and supporting officials in local authorities in planning. The Department should do likewise for the elected members. There are approximately 990 councillors in the country. They need to be empowered and enthused about how this plan will be rolled out in their areas. They are stakeholders. We are all stakeholders in this plan. I call on the officials to go back and consider working through the Association of Irish Local Government or the Local Authority Members Association as well as regional meetings within local authorities to determine how the Department can assist them to understand and support the plan. Everyone is a partner in this process.

I am supportive. It is a good plan and in the absence of any other plan we should proceed with this one.