Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand we have to have public consultations and to allow for sufficient time. We are now coming into the Christmas period. If we publish the guidelines in the next two weeks, what kind of period will we allow for the public consultation and for submissions to be made? How long will it take after that for the Department to finalise matters? It is important that the public consultation takes place on how we proceed with the provision of housing in rural areas.

I raise an issue regarding people who have derelict properties in rural areas. I have come across a number of these as I am sure the Minister of State has too. These properties are quite close to existing road infrastructure. The requirement set by local authorities is for the new development to take place in the same location, which is now not in a safe situation. I have found that local authorities insist on the new property be built exactly on the old, derelict site, which is too close to a public road. Will the guidelines cover such issues?

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