John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Following on from the court judgment, the drafting of new criteria for eligibility for house construction in rural areas is not yet completed but I understand it is close to completion.

In relation to how we go forward with rural development, the point the Deputy makes is correct. There are plenty of people in Ireland who would not like to see any more houses built in rural areas for ideological reasons but it is crucially important for the future of the shops, the post offices, the schools and the clubs, not just people who have strong obvious local links-----

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