Mr. Hubert Fitzpatrick:

I am aware that local authorities are actively looking at this in the context of the assessment of planning applications. Some have written more prescriptive approaches into their development plans. Once it is written into the development plan, each planning application has to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The situation is very similar with An Bórd Pleanála which has upskilled its resources across quite a wide range of areas over the last 12 months.

The board is assessing this, effectively, on a case-by-case basis as it is obliged to do once it is written into the development plan and according to the directives. It is a case of balancing land use with retention of existing structures and the Cathaoirleach referenced there being an element of subjectivity to it. There is also a reference to viability. As Mr. Ryan referred to, there are cases where if we do not go for greater intensification of the particular land in question, we are just going to drive that development out to perhaps more unsustainable locations outside town or city boundaries. It is a scarce product.