Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I will focus on the planning issues and the ongoing work. This is a beautiful area with a big house and beautiful old trees that were destroyed for no reason. The pictures before and after show a development in a quiet area that has ultimately been destroyed from a conservation perspective.

Matters have got out of hand in the area on that side.

I take the Minister of State's point that "regulatory matters related to planning are between the local authority and the accommodation service provider". I fully agree. In this case the local authority has said it is not an exempt development and it has been backed up by An Bord Pleanála. This is not about who is there, but about process, regulation and how our planning laws work. Kildare County Council and An Bord Pleanála have taken a view on this and they have an understanding of the rules and regulations. They are the experts and they have said it is not an exempt development. I again ask that the Department look at it closely, make a swift decision and bring this to a conclusion. The area has been changed, conservation of the area has been damaged and the residents deserve better. We need to work with everyone and there is a responsibility on the Department to ensure not only that everybody is looked after but that the local people are given a fair hearing and there is an understanding of what is happening at this location.

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