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

It has great clubs and great people. It is very close knit. We learned a lot through the regeneration process.

In relation to development plans, we have basically reiterated section 95(1)(d) of the 2000 Act in section 44(4)(b) so that there would be discretion. Obviously, in any community you need that mixture. You need young, old, social, affordable, private and cost rental. It is all about that balance. If there is an overconcentration of one category, then the question is whether that is good for society. I do not believe it is. Is it easy to attain that mixture? No, it is not. That is what housing strategies are about. I have been a public representative in Limerick for a long time. It is something we have been grappling with the whole time. I disagree about Part V. Part V works. I always felt Part V was a good, organic model to bring people into communities and to have it geographically spread. That is why we need this flexibility in the legislation that was in the old Act. It provides that flexibility. Ultimately, the housing strategy will be the reserved function of the councillors, again.

Section 95(1)(d) of the current Planning and Development Act reads:

In order to counteract undue segregation in housing between persons of different social backgrounds, the planning authority may indicate in respect of any particular area referred to in paragraph (c) that there is no requirement for housing referred to in section 94(4)(a) in respect of that area, or that a lower percentage than that specified in the housing strategy may instead be required.

Ultimately it comes from the reserve function of the councillors. I am a believer in things happening in a very organic way and I am a passionate believer in Part V. I really feel it works and it is something I am a greater supporter of. I am not minded to accept the amendment. We need some level of flexibility.