Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I agree wholeheartedly. In preparation for today’s questions, I looked at the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, report into transport-orientated development and the need, throughout central and local government, to align it through the sustainable development goals, in particular those relating to sustainable cities and communities, the national planning framework and, as the Deputy noted, the role of the LDA in the Colbert Quarter. It is critical that we progress work relating to the other major urban centres. On Monday, there was a major announcement regarding the development of the Waterford quays. The NESC research recognises transport-orientated development and its role in underpinning affordable housing and sustainable urban development. We need to include this urban view in the context even of the nature restoration law. If the urban agenda is to be included in that, we will need to disincentivise urban sprawl. That is why the critical element of this relates to transport and linking it with sustainable urban development.

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