Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank all Senators for their valuable contributions on 10 March and today on the draft guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, regrets he is unable to attend the debate this afternoon but I assure Members I will brief him fully on their contributions. The views expressed will be carefully considered before the guidelines are issued in their final statutory form. Senators' contributions were practical and many sensible suggestions were made. This is so because we are the people dealing with constituents' queries on a daily basis. As Senator O'Rourke stated, the receipt of a letter of refusal of planning permission can be devastating for an individual or family.

It is gratifying to note the widespread welcome given to the publication of the draft guidelines particularly in rural parts of the country. I do not accept, contrary to statements by some commentators, that an acceptance of the importance of affording people in rural areas the opportunity of building their own homes means the Government is not fully committed to the principles of sustainable development.

Sustainability must be about people. Surely the most sustainable rural area is one that affords its indigenous population the opportunity to build a home in their own area. The guidelines are explicit in a manner never before witnessed. Reasonable proposals on suitable sites for persons who are part of and contribute to a rural community must be accommodated. The guidelines are a giant step forward in defining what are reasonable proposals and suitable sites. I strongly believe it is reasonable that the housing requirements of persons with roots in or links to a rural community should be accommodated by the planning system. Beyond that, the guidelines clearly flag the importance of and provide guidance on the planning for housing in areas where the population is declining, carefully managing the development of sensitive areas and areas under pressure for development and housing policies which strengthen rural areas generally.

The guidelines make it clear that a housing development in rural areas needs to be of good quality in its location and design and should complement rather than dominant its surroundings. They stress the importance of applicants, their agents and the planning authorities taking a collaborative approach in ensuring that the choice and location of site together with the design and development approach chosen is harmonious with the physical environment surrounding the site.

The guidelines also make it clear that protecting water quality is a leading consideration in determining whether a given site is suitable for development. Therefore, the development plan must clearly flag those areas where ground water quality is a critical issue and where particular requirements may apply. The Minister indicated earlier that he is considering the necessity of additional measures to ensure that septic tanks and other waste water systems are regularly monitored and maintained.

Of course, in that regard we all know we have a duty of care. The guidelines are intended to progress what has become a very polarised debate. The role of the development plan as the mechanism to bring all parties to the table is stressed, for example, the councillors who make the plan, the planners who advise on it, and the public whom it serves. Adopting a development plan on a shared basis with ownership by all interests is the way to progress the debate.

I do not accept the guidelines will detract from the policy thrust of the national spatial strategy. The critical mass and population of Ireland's major urban areas, such as those identified in the national spatial strategy, is growing fast. Between 1996 and 2002, the fastest growing areas were towns with a population of 3,000 and upwards and the main cities. Many of those growing areas are the gateways and hubs identified in the national spatial strategy.

The rural housing guidelines emphasise the importance of managing rural development trends carefully and areas under significant influence from nearby urban areas to ensure the compact and sustainable growth of such cities and towns. The guidelines will underpin the policy objective of the national spatial strategy. As is standard practice for guidelines of this nature, they are being issued in draft form before finalisation. However, in view of the issue's importance, the Minister has requested planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to take the guidelines on board and put in place the measures necessary to implement them with immediate effect. I reiterate the Government's commitment to the sustainable development of rural areas. The new guidelines reflect that and seek to promote and support the viability of rural communities. The guidelines will bring greater clarity for planners and applicants alike and should help ensure that inconsistencies and rigidities in rural planning are eliminated.

There were references to the various local authorities and whether they might implement those. However, all variations to development plans made to reflect the guidelines will be submitted to the Department, and if they do not reflect the guidelines' provisions, we will raise those issues with the relevant local authorities. Of course, An Bord Pleanála will have to have regard to the guidelines under the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000. If the guidelines are not implemented by the planning authorities, the option would be open to the Minister of issuing a statutory policy directive under the Planning and Development Act 2000, with which authorities would be legally obliged to comply. In other words, we will be monitoring developments very closely and will take steps if necessary.