James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the clarification that the Department does not support, under any circumstances, any road through St. Catherine's Park. If that is the case, this can be categorically ruled out. It is a very welcome development.

The Minister of State says that this is a rarely wielded power but my experience suggests otherwise. In north Kildare, area plans have been drawn up for Kilcock, Sallins, Clane, Celbridge and Leixslip and there has been ministerial intervention in respect of three of them. The Minister of State's claim is not borne out by reality. The power is being used far too frequently, which is a matter of some concern in the context of local democracy.

There are other threats to area plans from ministerial overrides. There is the Confey master plan, which is an extension of the area plan. Before that progresses, what kind of master plan action is envisaged for that area. Residents are very concerned about the position in respect of lands adjacent to the Celbridge road at Leixslip, referred to in the local area plan as "KDA 2". They would like their concerns to be given a hearing at least, even if, ultimately, the override is wielded. This is the duty of councillors but they have been taken out of the picture. I hope this does not become a pattern.

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