Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

First, it is not limited to rural areas. Sustainable rural development is a defined term. It is important in light of the reference to "sustainable development and regeneration" in the section heading. Section 42(1) states, "A planning authority shall prepare a strategy for the sustainable development and regeneration of the functional area of the planning authority." There is a reference to urban development later in the section. Section 42(2)(c) states the strategy shall set out objectives relating to "the provision, or facilitation of the provision, of infrastructure including water supplies, waste water services, waste recovery and disposal facilities". It is important that the plan set out relevant objectives to promote sustainable rural development. The phrase "sustainable rural development" is warranted to prevent the section from being read as applying only to urban settings. Therefore, what the Deputy proposes is covered in the Bill. It is important to include the phrase because it applies to a broad set of policy objectives concerning rural settlement and rural development generally. It applies not just to agricultural development but also to the development of rural communities and broadband infrastructure in rural areas, and also to the general economic and social well-being of rural communities.