James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I too compliment the Garda Síochána on their fine act of bravery yesterday, which was performed with very limited resources. A promise was made in the run-up to the last general election that we would have 2,000 extra members of the Garda Síochána on the streets. We are still waiting for them.

On planning, I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the House to debate the issue. The Planning and Development Act 2000 seems to be flawed in the light of statements made by the Taoiseach at a recent Fianna Fáil seminar in Sligo regarding loosening restrictions on one-off housing in rural areas. We have drawn that to the Government's attention time and time again. There seems to have been a change of heart on the issue and I hope it is not another false promise in the run-up to the local elections next year. We have had a great deal of dithering from the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.