Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a number of queries and would appreciate if the Minister could revert to me.

First, I welcome a number of developments in the north side of Cork city in recent weeks. The Lord Mayor of Cork cut the ribbon this week on developments in Knocknaheeny, Blarney Street and Blackpool, and we have the potential development of the St. Kevin's Hospital site on the north side of the city for which the Land Development Agency, LDA, has started plans.

The main issue I want to raise is residential densities. I spent six years on Cork County Council and I never got my head around the fact that An Bord Pleanála can operate on a density of up to 50 units per hectare, whereas the local authority is usually restricted to between 30 and 35 units per hectare. Has a review of that requirement taken place in recent months? Could the next Government examine the matter? Whatever the merits of high or low density, consistency is needed as opposed to having two different approaches for local authority planners or having somebody who appeals a development to the board getting two different answers. I will give the example of one case in Little Island, where I am from. Cork County Council turned down a specific proposal for a housing development because the density was too high. Its decision was appealed to the board, which also refused the proposal on the basis that the density was too low. That disconnect needs to be reviewed.

We have major issues with wastewater in Cork county. Approximately 50% of the land designated and zoned for housing is not serviceable by proper wastewater treatment units. In one sense, we are doing great work in terms of development and local area plans, but that has not translated into funding for Irish Water to carry this development through.

My final point is on broadband, which Deputy Cahill just mentioned. Various villages are getting new developments. Courtbrack in Cork North-Central is one such example. It has a brand new estate of more than 100 houses. It is great that broadband has followed and that the estate is being serviced, but existing residents of the village do not have broadband even though they may live 20 m from a broadband connection point installed to service the new developments. There is a lack of joined-up thinking and a disconnect if broadband is being brought to a village and people who already live in it do not have access. They need to be thought of going forward.

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