Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I welcome the sustainable planning guidelines that have been issued for consultation. What the Minister said makes absolute sense in planning terms to avoid the type of willy-nilly development seen in many villages. Will the Minister agree we need to take account of the fact that one size does not fit all in regard to guidelines on these issues and that what might work in a large urban centre will not work in a village? High rise buildings beside a railway station may not be appropriate in a village setting. What does the Minister intend to do to ensure the guidelines are sufficiently robust while at the same time allowing for some latitude to cope with the different circumstances throughout the country?

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