Mr. David Joyce:

I welcome the views of members, some of which are very practical in terms of very straightforward things. I like the idea of being able to monitor on project-by-project basis, something that does not occur currently with Traveller accommodation. In terms of the work we intend to do, there is a significant interaction between planning, the planning process and Traveller accommodation provision and not just at the level of local authority development. We should remember that many Travellers also seek to make their own provision, some of which could be considered specific provision in respect of sites or halting sites for themselves - essentially private provision. That type of development is not open to Travellers under our current planning system - certainly not in terms of the decisions that are made regarding those sort of applications. Clearly, there is a greater link between the objectives of a Traveller accommodation programme and that being a material consideration in the planning process. I hear the comments of the Chairman in terms of a balance being struck. Where there is a clear link in the planning process and Traveller accommodation, that need to address local concerns can be met in an objective way that prevents it being a political consideration. Ultimately, the idea behind planning is that there is local consultation within it. Currently, the provision of Traveller accommodation does not seem to be provided for within the entire planning process. When I say that, I mean it in the context of families who want to provide for themselves. It creates an issue so Traveller-specific accommodation rests with local authorities and the particular political issues that arise in that context.

We are looking at radical proposals. Some of them may not be very radical but we are certainly taking on board what has been said by members of the committee as Members of the national Parliament. They are ideas that will, hopefully, be reflected at some level within our report. Trying to address that balance can be done by objective legislation and removing the political capital that can be made from objecting to any type of accommodation and putting it into a more objective process as opposed to the current subjective process. Again, I welcome the comments made around the table this morning. The concerns that have been expressed about the actual spend when it comes back purely to local authority provision are concerning to the committee. They constitute one area that we hope to see addressed in our recommendations.