Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would have conceded to Deputy Fitzmaurice but I have to be somewhere else soon. I welcome the opportunity to speak about this important framework. The plan details how the country will develop and grow over the next 23 years and, as such, it is very important. I was struck to hear members of the Government bemoan constructive criticism and state that there had been wide consultation on the plan. I agree that consultation meetings were held in various parts of the country but some of the issues identified were not heeded. Consultation for the sake of it is pointless.

The Government had proposed a two-hour debate on this plan but members of the Business Committee forced the issue and demanded a far more substantive debate than two hours on this plan that will direct how the country is to grow and develop over the next 20 plus years. Given the longevity of this plan and its importance, it might be worthwhile extending the deadline in respect of submissions on the draft. The current timeframe is too tight. The submissions of many chambers of commerce are undertaken in a voluntary capacity in conjunction with other work. I ask the Minister of State, Deputy English, to give consideration to extending that deadline.

Critical to how this country develops will be the new capital plan but we have not yet had sight of what is in the plan.

In terms of transport, for which I am Fianna Fáil spokesperson, the Minister, Deputy Ross, promised to make his submission to the capital plan known but is yet to so do. He admitted his plan would be based on what money he gets rather than what he needs. It is essential to analyse our existing infrastructure and identify where improvements need to be made. We should not say we will do what we can within a tight budget but, rather, ask what infrastructural projects are needed to ensure there is a proper integrated transport network across the island. If there are financial constraints, projects should be dealt with based on priority.

Members do not know, for instance, the status of the DART underground project. It is possibly one of the most critical infrastructural developments for the capital because it connects and makes the best use of existing rail networks in the city. Members do not know at what stage it is. They do not know the status of the proposed motorway between Mullingar and Sligo, which is another critical piece of infrastructure to ensure the midlands and west receive investment and nor do Members know the status of the Limerick to Cork road or that of the A5, which will connect with the North.

The new chairman of Irish Rail told the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport yesterday that Irish Rail needs €103 million per annum for the next five years to maintain tracks and a steady state for its existing infrastructure. We need far greater ambition in terms of what can be done in rail infrastructure. Deputy Connolly spoke about light rail for Galway. Railway tracks in my constituency of Longford-Westmeath need to be upgraded to a twin line. Places such as Mullingar will have the opportunity to develop and grow when they are connected with the eastern seaboard.

The national planning framework refers to "Improving access to Dublin Airport, to include improved public transport access, connections from the road network from the west and north and in the longer term, consideration of heavy rail access to facilitate direct services from the national rail network in the context of potential future electrification." However, when I asked the Minister, Deputy Ross, a question about rail connection to Dublin Airport on 19 October 2017, his reply stated:

It does not include the Clongriffin spur to Dublin airport or another heavy rail connection to the airport. There are no plans to reconsider this issue at this time.

There are contradictions between what the Minister with responsibility for the area says and what has been outlined in the plan.

The draft plan reaffirms the imbalance in favour of the east coast and a bias in favour of Dublin and the four other main growth centres, namely, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. There are gaping omissions in provision for the midlands and the north west. There is no ambition to help those areas grow and develop. A comprehensive plan was submitted in regard to Athlone. The CEO of Athlone Chamber of Commerce told me his organisation realises Athlone needs to grow as a region. The midlands region generally, including Longford, Westmeath and Tullamore, can grow and develop and help counter-balance the emphasis that has been put on the eastern seaboard. There is nothing in that regard in the framework.

I am greatly concerned by the discriminatory policy against one-off housing in the countryside contained in the provision, which requires that a housing need demand assessment be included in all future development plans. The Minister of State, Deputy English, represents a rural constituency and knows how difficult it is for those born and bred in a particular area to obtain planning permission. If the housing need demand assessment is enforced, it is my view and that of senior planners that it will be next to impossible to obtain. Members have spoken of the death of rural communities, the loss of teachers from schools and the loss of services because there is nobody in the towns and villages to support them. The housing need demand assessment would have a detrimental effect in that regard and serious consideration should be given to removing it from the framework and county development plans because it will cause much difficulty if it comes in.

Representatives of Longford County Council told me they have huge concerns in respect of the framework and believe it will adversely affect smaller counties such as Longford. They made the point that midland counties are the principal beneficiaries of the redistribution of the local property tax equalisation fund, receiving €21.6 million in 2017. In contrast, Dublin and other eastern counties contributed more than €50 million to the fund in 2017, which illustrates the current imbalance. The Government will not enable smaller towns such as Kilbeggan, Moate, Ballymahon, Granard and Edgeworthstown grow in any real or substantial way because of the arbitrary targets to be imposed upon them. If the Government is not going to let towns grow but is going to impose more restrictions on people seeking to obtain one-off rural houses, how will rural Ireland be supported? How will shops and post offices be supported? How will we ensure there are adequate staff for schools? It will not be supported. Although I acknowledge much work went into the national planning framework and officials met those who made submissions, given the severity, importance and longevity of the report, it should be pushed out for several weeks. It should be debated in the House in conjunction with the capital plan because the capital plan and infrastructural investment over the coming decade will be so important for sustainable growth.

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