Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the broad thrust of this Bill. It is not necessary to say that informed, sensitive and sustainable planning should not be just a lottery or vague aspiration but a real objective that can be attained and implemented. Bad planning and ill-conceived development have long been an awful scourge in too many parts of the country. There are too many dreadful monuments of poor, inferior planning and, unfortunately, too many people have suffered terrible consequences as a result of bad practice and ill-thought out developments. Quality of life has diminished or been damaged and many people have been left without essential facilities or important infrastructure in their locality. Some are occupying a wasteland in terms of amenities because services such as schools, roads and public transport and other basic facilities are not being provided. In many instances the environment has been scarred forever by developments that were either unsuitable in the long term or totally at odds with the fabric of the immediate area. There are myriad examples of irresponsible and downright bad planning decisions. There are too many eyesores, monstrosities and testaments to cowboy developers who have vandalised the landscape in pursuit of the quick buck. Unfortunately, there is also evidence of the wilful abuse and violation of planning laws. Clearly, this is totally unacceptable and must be eradicated once and for all.

As legislators, there is an onus on us to prevent these situations from recurring. It is a truism to say our landscape is unique, one of our greatest assets. It is utterly ludicrous to allow any more desecration of the fantastic resource. We cannot allow any indiscriminate exploitation of the environment for naked gain and profiteering or any other base motives. Our planning laws must incorporate some element of enlightened vision and forward thinking in trying to anticipate the problems that may emerge in the aftermath of development.

Our planning framework has evolved demonstrably since 1964 and we have made good progress. Over the years we have striven to strike a balance between preserving the national beauty of our environment while ensuring it continues to have functionality. We must reconcile the duty to protect the landscape with the need to make adequate provision to enable us to enjoy a certain quality of life and livelihood.

Having identified many of the problems associated with the current planning code, we must determine a code that is practical and remedies the most flagrant failures of the past. I am pleased to note the Bill proposes to introduce proportionate sanctions against those who fly in the face of the planning Acts and who have treated the environment and planning authorities with naked contempt. The planning laws must provide the appropriate penalty for those who would flout the rules and regulations. The cowboys must be subject to stiff sanctions and cannot be allowed to get away with impunity. Justice must be done and must be seen to be done and we must ensure these people cannot repeat their offences anywhere else. The law must have teeth and must act as a strong deterrent. We must make sure the planning laws are watertight and that they cannot be circumvented by anyone.

Aside from residential development, which is fundamental, the planning code must also take account of commercial needs and the imperatives of our economy and industrial policy. There is a requirement to ensure that the proper infrastructural machinery is in place to effect a viable business that provides employment and contributes to local and national economic well-being.

While I fully support the planning measures introduced in the Bill, certain of its aspects bother me slightly. Some local authorities have voiced considerable reservations about the possible impacts of the Bill on the rural environment and its economy. As a rural Deputy and someone who served as a member of Kilkenny County Council for 15 years, I have seen the practical application of the planning laws and the strategic advantage of good, ordinary planning and development. I have also experienced the hideous consequences of bad planning and poor planning mechanisms and controls.

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