James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I support the call by my colleague, Senator Brian Hayes, for an extension of the time allocated for the Private Member's motion this evening. I believe every Member on this side of the House wants an opportunity to speak on the issue of third level fees, as it is a burning issue among parents and students. We want to have a serious debate on this issue, rather than be hobbled by the House.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, to come before the House to debate the issue of rural housing, planning and design. There is an opinion among many planners and others that rural housing detracts from the landscape. However, properly designed rural housing can enhance it. It is important to maintain the population in rural areas. There is a strong view among people who live in rural areas that planners and others should not curtail the development of houses in rural parishes and townlands. Any survey shows that there were more houses in many rural townlands 70 years ago than there are today. It is important we debate this issue.

Design is an important factor. There is a problem with modern design in rural areas. We had traditional thatched cottages which were followed by cottages with slate roofs and then tiled roofs. We now have a mixture of everything. Properly designed houses can enhance the rural environment. It is important we debate this issue.