Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Deputy Louise O'Reilly. I have one question on foot of the contributions by Deputies Rabbitte and Chambers. Mr. Ryan mentioned permeability. As I am sure he will be aware, there are always conflicting views when building a new estate in an existing community. One of the main issues in my local authority, particularly in my old electoral ward, is where an estate is added on to an existing development but the main road is not upgraded. If one thinks of a linear development with housing along the road and a development at the back, the permeability is not there. There is a deliberate attempt by the councillors to limit access to the main road directly through the existing linear development. They route it around the road. They might call it a distributor road. It will come out at a particular point, which might be a few hundred metres from where the existing houses are located but there is no footpath linking the new road to the existing footpath network. I wish it were only new developments but it is not. I am referring to what are often ten-year old, 15-year old or 20-year old developments.

The councillors have the objective of limiting the ability of the planners to put in a footpath access point. In certain instances, they might even close an access point. It defies all logic, apart from when the objective is to address anti-social behaviour. The greater good often has to be considered in these circumstances. My question was about permeability and the ability of a local authority. Perhaps in such instances the overarching perspective should overrule the perspective of one or two individuals on something and permeability should become a permanent element. Otherwise we are spending public moneys, trying to facilitate access often through compulsory purchase orders. I can name one which I am sure Deputy O'Reilly, my constituency colleague, is very much aware of on the Feltrim Road, where the owner of a small private house is refusing to facilitate a footpath which would benefit hundreds of houses. Perhaps that was an observation rather than a question. An overarching approach is needed.