Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I concur, to a certain extent, with Senator Glynn's comments on the importance of planning in large urban areas. One example is Lucan which, according to the Central Statistics Office, is the fastest growing area in the country. Senator Glynn is right in that the fault lies with planning but not necessarily planning by local authorities. In regard to the shortage of school places in the area in which I live, the Department of Education and Science should be taking the initiative because it is ultimately responsible for providing school places and is accountable. We need to discuss that matter as well as joined up government. All local authorities can do is rezone land and set aside sites; it cannot provide school places.