David Norris (Independent)

I also welcome a debate on planning guidelines but I do not agree with my esteemed colleague, Senator Ó Murchú. I think the opposition he drew between the people of Ireland and vested interests was emotive. I am very concerned by these guidelines. A very populist line is being followed. The Government is not taking a clear lead in policy. On the wireless today I heard that only 2% of Ireland is covered by concrete and these new guidelines will merely increase this by 1.5%. That is almost doubling it. That is worrying.