Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The answer to the Chairman's question is "Yes".

On Deputy O'Callaghan's question, the provision for national planning statements under section 23 was subject to extensive legal advice, including from the Attorney General's office. We are happy and satisfied that it is legally correct. Any local area plans or development plans done by local authorities will have to state that they are consistent with what is in national planning statements. For instance, section 40, "Obligations to make and review development plan" - this is included in the section relating to the regional spatial and economic strategy, RSES, as well - outlines that in reviewing a development plan variation, any relevant national planning policies and measures will be materially consistent with it. Any national planning guidance also has to be taken into account. In essence, while local area plans will cease, the national planning statements will have to be reflected in any development or regional plans.

To go back to Deputy Ó Broin's point, I am not familiar with the site, but I will make a general comment. We recently brought out, which no doubt the Deputy is aware of, the sustainable compact guidelines. We will look to move those to national planning statements, which deal with all areas of the country. Although there are issues as regards building standards and so forth, we believe that will firm up the consistency of application of those guidelines.