Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Minister well in his new role. I will raise two issues with him. The first is the issue of rural housing and the second is the port access northern cross route, PANCR, project in Ballymakenny, Drogheda. I live in an area that is viewed in the Louth county development plan as an area of outstanding beauty and I certainly concur with that as Togher is, in my view, one of the most beautiful sites in County Louth. It has open countryside coupled with gorgeous coastline and a blue flag beach and port. There are numerous areas like this in the wee county. We have Monasterboice with its high crosses and tower, Clogherhead with its proud tradition of fishing and Carlingford with its castle, mint and medieval town walls.

The common thread is that all of these areas are lively rural communities. However, the number of young people who are being denied an opportunity to build a home in their community is increasing. These are the young people who contribute to our GAA clubs and whose children should be going to our local schools. Not a week goes by that I do not have numerous requests from these young people about the challenges they face in getting planning. Sometimes when I look at the reasons, I shake my head in disbelief as some of them seem nonsensical. Let us not forget the costs associated with putting a planning application together. These days they run into the thousands of euro. I acknowledge that the planning departments across the country are up to their eyes in work. They are having to juggle applications of all shapes and sizes, not to mention the number of freedom of information requests they must deal with, often to simply satisfy nosey neighbours. They take their guidelines not just from the EU, but from the Office of the Planning Regulator, which sometimes takes an obstinate view of rural housing.

I welcome the report. I see that it recognises that rural communities are confronted with unique challenges in housing, which causes "high rates of outward migration and ultimately [leads] to population decline." I also commend the recommendations and note that many of these are already in action. My ask on rural housing is quite simple. It is that when we come to reviewing the national planning framework, we give serious consideration to these recommendations and figure out how to allow rural housing to thrive while living within the parameters and allowing these areas of outstanding beauty not to be tainted. Rather than obstacles being put in their way, I want us to work together to ensure that young people get to build in their communities and beside their families. By no means do I want to see the countryside filled with housing estates or apartment blocks. Nor do I want to see Togher become the Hamptons of County Louth where only those of long standing or the rich can afford to live there. Let us remember that rural living is the fabric of our essence.

I turn my attention, and the Minister's, to the PANCR project in Ballymakenny, which, as he knows, is proposed in four phases. When completed it will deliver approximately 7,000 homes. Phase 1 has now been completed and phase 2 will shortly begin. The diggers are ready to go and the cranes are in the air. Both of these phases are unique, in that they have been funded by Louth County Council and HISCo in partnership. The critical phase is phase 3. While I understand there is open communication between his Department and the local authority, I urge the Minister to come to an understanding as quickly as possible to ensure we move seamlessly from phase 1 to phase 3 and continue to build the houses in and around Drogheda.

Funding streams must be agreed and planned well ahead. In short, I am asking the Minister not to stall the digger.

See this speech in context