James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister. In discussing the Bill I emphasise the importance of planning for social and affordable housing, the shortage of which is at a critical level. It is important that we, as legislators, provide a flexible framework for the guidance and control of development throughout the countryside which will contribute to growth and the needs of the people, while at the same time protecting and improving the level of overall environmental quality. It is of the utmost importance to ensure the proposed changes in this legislation do not further exacerbate the situation and pander to housing developers at the expense of needy applicants for social housing. The former Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, said on several occasions that while Minister he would not change this legislation under any circumstances. He stated it was important to have a social mix element, but this is now under threat.