Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to provide clarity on this issue because there has been some media coverage, particularly in the north west, that is inaccurate. Comments were made by the chief executive that were not accurate either.

In a few weeks' time, we will launch a consultation process around a new national planning framework, called "Ireland 2040 - A National Planning Framework". There will be extensive consultation in different parts of the country, including the north west and midlands. On 2 February, we will publish an issues paper to start that consultation and get the conversation going. It will then be up to various parts of the country to outline where they want to see their regions, towns, rural counties and so on going in the next two decades. Hopefully, we will have finalised a new national planning framework by early autumn after a series of extensive consultations with all stakeholders who wish to be involved.

Nothing is cast in stone. Although the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, will outline his plans for the new capital plan, I would be surprised if the work on the new national planning framework did not impact on Government decision making in terms of how we prioritise spending.

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