Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

I am using it to aid my argument. I suggest we improve the relationship between the local authority and developers and ensure a clear division. That division arises elsewhere. I have used it before in referring to the glorious testimony of the good days of Fianna Fáil. Dunloe Ewart has taken out the front page advertisement and Treasury Holdings the back page. I suspect that is a little too close to the body politic and that something similar can exist within the local authority. Certainly the developers can get straight in with pre-application consultation in a number of cases and local communities do not have that right. Most local authorities do not keep a record of that pre-application consultation and the names of those who attend those meetings are not placed in a register. I suggest there must be a much clearer and sharper line in the sand drawn between the developers and their lobby groups and the local authority staff and officials. The planning regulations date from 1981 and need to be revised. I am aware that a revision is in hand but after 25 years they date from the age of comely maidens and must be revised to reflect the reality of the 21st century.

The building regulations should include an increase in energy performance and provide every home with an energy label. Brussels has told us to do so by the end of next year and I do not see any evidence of this happening. The resources must be provided for decent planning enforcement. Lack of enforcement is the reason family and communities are left without lighting on their estates, landscaping and other basic amenities. Better quality must be provided in the 77,000 homes to be built this year.

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