Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the serious point Deputy Howlin raises, none of the 20 towns mentioned under the spatial programme that used be there previously realised the potential envisaged in respect of them. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, is not only working with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, in respect of the capital review programme, he is also looking ahead to 2040 in the context of both the local and regional authorities but without naming town against town. The latter became a political issue on the previous occasion. Here is an opportunity for all of them to send in their statutory programmes regarding how they see their areas and regions developing in the next 30 years and in light of the fact that the population is due to increase by 1 million during that time, to indicate where those people will live, where they will work, what transport they will use and what issues will need to be dealt with. Public consultation is already under way in that regard..

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