Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

I have said what I said and I stand by it. I want somebody to explain to me why, when a person inspects the planning file and the site, their recommendation is overturned by people who were not near the site.

For years the Irish Rural Dwellers' Association has sought to have a representative on An Bord Pleanála, but why has this been blocked? Every time they tried, they have been blocked, so I would like that question to be answered.

Why are local authorities throughout the country currently de-zoning land? For example, a ten-acre field with cattle grazing on it may be zoned, but why is it now being dezoned? The Minister says too much land is zoned. What difference does that make to the land? Zoning does not guarantee planning permission; it never did. The Minister has now given an instruction that land is to be dezoned, although I have not seen any legislation. It is similar to the rural planning guidelines, which were never given a legislative basis but directed the development of the country over a number of years. Land that has been already zoned for development will be dezoned, but we will turn around in a number of years - nobody can guess the timeframe - and rezone the land again, except that this time the owners will be nailed for an 80% property tax or levy. That is immoral.

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