Mr. Brian Rushe:

I completely understand the Senator's point on that. We have had issues relating to housing and agricultural developments in that the development levies were so out of kilter that they would make the agricultural developments unviable before even starting. That just highlights the level of inconsistency. In considering these cases, we regard Cork County Council as fair in how it deals with agricultural developments, sheds and rural housing.

I do not believe in wide-open planning in the context of doing up a derelict house or farm building, including for a family member coming home or another member of the family. We are not talking about speculation but about providing homes for people. If an opportunity arose down the road to rent out a building to supplement income and diversify farm activity, that would be acceptable too. We are not talking about leaving it wide open.

The Senator is quite right about highlighting the opportunity the scheme presents. We state in our submission that there is definitely a role for local authorities in making people aware that there is an opportunity for people. Of course, there is also a role for us, which, I am sure, Ms Doyle will mention