John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I will take Deputy Tuffy's question first. The new guidelines on sustainable residential development in urban areas will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which states that local authorities must have regard to them in carrying out their function. I am also looking at what further steps might be needed to strengthen the decision-making process by local authorities in the zoning of land so that decisions arrived at are evidence-based and secure the necessary economic environmental and social benefits for local communities. I am planning legislation along those lines.

The point raised by Deputy Hogan is one that has been raised with me. People have asked how one can compare Leitrim to Dublin. There are different circumstances and, obviously, that is the case. Therefore, there is a degree of latitude there. Local planners will not confuse the fact that there is a low population in the Leitrim area and the level of density required would not be the same as Dublin. That is self-evident.

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