Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to the House to discuss rural development, particularly with regard to how it correlates with planning guidelines? As a rural person like myself, the Leader is aware that many schools, post offices and such services have closed in rural areas because of depopulation and planning difficulties.

Reference was made to the fact that the sale of a couple of sites by farmers would help them educate their children. In some cases that is what serves to keep them in business. I do not agree with what Senator Norris said. I believe there is a serious issue with regard to rural planning.

Senator Hanafin mentioned better local government, but I wonder about that because of the current situation. When I entered the local government system in 1979 one dealt with the county manager, the county secretary or the county engineer and got a response and a service. I do not say one cannot get them now but it takes a hell of a lot longer. Rural development and planning guidelines should be addressed in an exploratory way because the structure that obtains currently is not working. I commend the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the consultation process in which he engaged and on bringing forward the guidelines.