James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I am talking about the creation of the national spatial strategy without a vote and without this Parliament making a decision. We have been let down far too often, because there has been political interference and nod and wink politics. The Green Party is aware of that and was critical of Fianna Fáil behaviour when it was in Opposition for many of the decisions the Government took when the national spatial strategy document was approved. It would make sound common sense to have a vote and have the national spatial strategy document approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas. There should not be interference from outside bodies and the Minister of State got a little hot under the collar when I mentioned the Galway tent. He was fairly critical of the cronies of Fianna Fáil who were in the Galway tent over the years. I know that the Taoiseach abolished the idea of the Galway tent, but it would not be in existence anyway in today's climate. It went because there was no money in the country and there was nobody there to support it any longer.

There was no vote on the national spatial strategy and I would like to see that happen in these Houses. After all, people expect us to take real decisions and this is a 20 year plan for the development of our country. Question, "That the words proposed to be deleted stand", put and declared carried.

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