Dermot Fitzpatrick (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I understand the thinking behind this Bill but agree with the Minister of State that the system would become rigid and would fail to deliver Deputy Crowe's wishes. Like Deputy O'Connor I hate to be parochial but I note we have had the greatest boom in apartment building in the north-west inner city between O'Connell Street and Stoneybatter over the past five years. Most of the building has taken place on derelict ground. The area between North King Street and Smithfield was derelict for most of the past 30 years. A patient of mine, a haulier in the markets, could keep his horses on derelict ground for free. All he had to do was buy hay for his horses and let them roam on other people's property. These people did not want to develop it because there were no incentives to do so.

We must examine the accommodation we are providing. Most planning applications for apartment blocks are for one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, with fewer three-bedroom or penthouse apartments. These do not cater for the future because they are not family friendly. They are geared towards students and investors.

Deputy Martin Brady spoke about management companies and we must examine their role. Other Deputies will be aware that complaints about faults, carelessness and the lack of accountability of management companies are beginning to increase. In many cases residents have no comeback because the management companies are controlled by developers. The latter withhold a few apartments to block other residents effecting improvements in their environment. Part V needs more time to reach its full potential because most development took place under permission that predates 2000. Obligations under Part V apply only to planning permissions granted after local authority housing strategies were put in place.

While I do not wish to speak outside my area of expertise some local authorities have been neglectful in allowing estates to be built around old villages in the hinterland of Dublin with no footpaths connecting the estates and the villages. That type of structure should be built first. I see parents pushing go-cars along country roads without the safety of footpaths, while lorries thunder by and cars pass driven by people with no regard for speed limits or pedestrians. Children and their parents walk on the road because there are no footpaths. This endangers lives. When local authorities grant planning permission they should ensure that the infrastructure, footpaths, drainage, schools etc. is in place first or will be there when the population moves in.

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