Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I will speak to amendment No. 245. On page 70, it would insert, after "policy", "but which recognises the importance of balancing such economic requirements with factors improving the health and well-being of the regional population." This is important in ensuring RSESs will not just look at economic development but also at how development impacts the health and well-being of the population in the region.

This is consistently raised to me by constituents, who say they are all for development in their area but want it done in a way that improves and enhances well-being and health, is well designed and planned, and is not exclusively driven by economic forces. There is a deep sense with regard to the many challenges people face around the country that there is an imbalance in that economic development seems to be driving all of the planning and thinking, and it is not being balanced by human health and well-being.

We discussed earlier the many newer developments with thousands of much-needed homes but an absence of the cultural spaces and amenities needed to make successful and thriving communities that people want to live in and grow older in. It is not trying to take away from the economic development side but to say it needs to be balanced with considerations around health and well-being. In these RSESs and in planning in general, that is the way we need to go. It needs to be in the legislation. I do not think we can pretend that balance is there at the moment. It is not. People's daily experience, especially in newer developments and communities, suggests it is not happening in a balanced way.

If we got this right, we would have a smoother planning process because there would be more buy-in for new development from communities if they knew it was done well and balanced with well-being. There is nothing like it when it is done well and balanced and there are facilities for human health and well-being, in terms of the knock-on effects. We all deal as public representatives with communities where it is not done. We could be dealing with the fall-out from that for years.