Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I am glad there will not be a blanket ban on one-off housing. I agree with other Senators who said that we must do more to enable people to be accommodated in their own localities or areas with which they may have a strong affinity. I welcome the fact that we will have a debate on the relevant guidelines. The Minister must encourage greater use of stone-facing in construction. Stone-faced houses would not jar on the rural landscape or mar the beauty of the countryside as much as multi-coloured houses. I strongly recommend the use of stone-facing, which perhaps could be undertaken with grant assistance.