Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Speaking at the launch of the national planning framework, the Taoiseach stated that planning would be all about community and bringing the community with us. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, promised a new marine strategy. I understand the Minister recently approved applications for a large number of new aquaculture licences in County Donegal of which no one was aware. A single advertisement was placed in a newspaper in August and a notice placed in a Garda station was missed by members of the local community. To take the example of Gweedore Bay, there will be a 700% increase in the area being given over to oyster farming. This is a major issue for the local community. Why did the Minister not seek an environmental impact statement on the proposed development? How can he justify a planning approach in which the local community is not consulted?

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