Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's comments. Demographics need to be central to planning because planning without looking at the situation on the ground is not good planning. There is an elderly demographic and there is a pharmacy and butcher shop beside the bus stop, which also allows elderly people from neighbouring estates to come in to pick up a prescription or whatever. It is really important to the community. I cannot over-emphasise that.

An Teachta Ó Cuív made a very good point about ensuring service to estates. There was a case in Galway city where an estate was refused because there was no bus connectivity. I understand this plan does not contain bus connectivity to where that estate was due to be built either. We must ensure that we have that connectivity and take local demographics into account.

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