Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator McCarthy's call for a debate on planning, especially in the context of rural development. I would like the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to attend this debate.

There is significant unrest throughout the country. For example, in Mayo two weeks ago, more than 300 people attended a meeting on this issue, while in Kerry several hundred attended a similar meeting. In many areas people are not allowed to build, even on their own farms. We have discussed rural areas being denuded, yet this is an occasion when people want to live in such areas and be part of them. I will not pillory An Taisce. It should be part of the debate as well.

It is much better to hold the debate in the House than on "The Late Late Show" or "Today with Pat Kenny". We are supposed to be legislators and this House is where the debate should take place.