Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the first instance, the role of the OPR is to ensure our shared vision, as set out in the national planning framework, NPF, our regional guidelines and the county development plans, runs right through in a consistent manner and is delivering on Government policy. Subject to a recommendation by the Mahon tribunal, the office was established to ensure Government policy is, in fact, running through to local authorities. It is not long - 2008, in fact - since we had enough zoned land in the country to accommodate an extra 10 million people. No one could predict where the infrastructure would land and the State does not have a bottomless pit of money. We have evolved now to a situation where we have a plan-led system to deliver for all our citizens. Further to the draft plan by Cork County Council, which I know from the correspondence that the regulator is impressed with, a number of recommendations were put and delivered on in terms of flood risk, development guidelines and mapping. We are happy with the substantive response to them.

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