Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

One of the reasons we want compact development is because if we keep building outward, we have to keep building more and more new infrastructure. It would be far more economic for us and work far better if we build up our existing towns through a town-centre-first strategy. We must invest in all those existing sewerage systems in towns where sewage is pumped directly out. Compact development works not only because there is no time cost when one can walk to a shop, church or local pub, but it is also because we are using existing infrastructure. We are not allowing that infrastructure go to seed and then building outward. It is availing of what we have. That applies in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Donegal or wherever we are.

As well as the cities we must build up, more than anything else we must address our 19th century market towns. A strategic question has been asked of whether we let them wither on the vine or if we bring people and life back into their centre and create vibrant communities. That is what this Government is going to do.

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