Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Obviously, it is the intention of the Government to honour all of our commitments in the programme for Government, as negotiated, over the period of office of the Government. I cannot indicate to Deputy Rabbitte at this remove, not having the line responsibility, as to when and how we can proceed with the continuing examination of that issue and come forward with a means by which we can deal with this question of an integrated planning framework, particularly in areas that have seen very rapid development, to ensure there are amenities and infrastructure in place commensurate with the residential and other development that has taken place in some of these areas. It is the intention of the Government that the Minister with the line responsibility will in due course come to Government with proposals on the way those issues can be dealt with.

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