I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on the national spatial strategy. The strategy, launched last week by the Taoiseach, is a 20-year planning framework as to how we match people, places and potential across the island of Ireland. The main objective of the national spatial strategy is to achieve more balanced development of the country, with a better quality of life for everyone, vibrant urban and rural areas and a better environment. We want continued economic and social development but with a better spatial distribution.