Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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On planning and fast food issues, it is easier to reject a planning application for a Supermacs or a McDonalds outlet. In Castlebar, County Mayo, there are delis beside the secondary schools where children can get chips, chicken rolls and sausage rolls, which are really unhealthy. The deli counters are full at lunchtime. The students are also buying bottles of Coke, or whatever else, with that meal. How does one go about counteracting that from a planning perspective? There are deli counters in filling stations and shops and delis have expanded to deal with the demand in local schools. I do not see how rejecting a planning application for a Supermacs down the road will make a significant difference to that.

I have a question on cycleways and greenways. It was my experience when I was on Mayo County Council that it was difficult to get a footpath or a greenway over the line. There appears always to be a reason not do it. When trying to build a footpath in a village to connect additional houses in order that people can walk to mass or to the football ground, I am given explanations such as the land required a compulsory purchase order, or that others will not agree to it, it will be costly, or the council does not have the staff to do it. It is just "Yada, yada, yada". There are always many reasons not to do it. It is so difficult to get these projects over the line and they do not appear to be a priority for the local authorities.

Ms Martin made the point about councillors changing every five years, which is a challenge. Equally, the chief executive officers may change every seven years. There is often rotation of staff between different sections within the council and, for example, the walking officer this year may not be the walking officer next year. What are the witnesses' thoughts on longer term planning, for example when the executive changes or when the councillors rotate, so the plan does not get lost?

Reference was made to Project Ireland 2040. I have reservations about that plan because we are not delivering in 2018, never mind in 2040. There needs to be a longer term perspective from the local authorities with fewer excuses and improved delivery. When they are approached by people with ideas, they should not be thinking of reasons not to implement them. They should only consider solutions. In my experience it has been challenging to build simple, basic walkways. I am not talking about top-end footpaths that one might have in the main street of a town. Even gravel footpaths to the left or right of a thoroughfare, which are inexpensive, are proving very difficult to secure.