Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The guidelines advocate a more proactive role for planning authorities in terms of the following: analysing and understanding the processes driving change in rural settlement patterns and identifying the different types of rural area in each county; acting as facilitator to bring together the different interests involved; developing awareness of what is happening on the ground; working to create a shared view of how rural settlement should be addressed; and building ownership in the development plan and its implementation. These stipulations are based on my experience as a councillor in a county which has faced many challenges in planning.

The guidelines provide extensive guidance to help applicants through the process of obtaining planning permission with a minimum of delay. The type of information which planning authorities are likely to require is outlined in some detail. Sources of information are outlined with applicants shown how to get necessary advice, for example, on how to minimise any potential adverse impacts on heritage at the earliest possible stage. It is wrong that young couples trying to build a home have to invest many thousands of euro but do not know the questions they must address. A more proactive approach in planning will be helpful and will result in a winning situation for everybody. Planners, who work under heavy pressure, will be less burdened and the pressure will be reduced on young couples and others who wish to build homes for their families.

The guidelines call for applicants to be treated sensitively and courteously by planning authorities and for a constructive approach in helping applicants through the process. This should also apply to public representatives. The work of public representatives in Ireland includes advocacy of constituents' interests. It may seem odd to include such a provision, on which the media has commented. I believe that every citizen has a right to expect effective, efficient and courteous service. I receive reports too frequently to the contrary. Regardless of how busy a public agency is there is no excuse for less than courteous service. Every public representative would underscore my concerns on this matter.

On the question of holiday or second home development, the guidelines call for development plans to adopt a positive approach to such development by striking a balance between the growing demand for these homes and need to channel such development to locations that can best accommodate them. I do not subscribe to the idea that owning a holiday home is wrong. If a citizen wishes to have a holiday home why should he or she be discouraged from having one in Ireland? Planning authorities are urged to adopt a plan-led approach to identifying preferred locations for holiday home development with preference towards clustering in or around small towns and villages, particularly in sensitive scenic areas experiencing significant pressures from this type of development.

The sustainable rural housing guidelines were published in draft form for public consultation in March last year. During the consultation period 105 submissions were received. The submissions contained many suggestions for clarifying or improving the guidelines and many of these have been incorporated in the final statutory form of the guidelines.

I will now outline for the House some of the main changes made in the final version of the guidelines as compared with the original March 2004 draft. A new section has been added to put stronger emphasis on a better and more courteous service from planning authorities and improved co-operation between planning authorities and applicants, particularly at the pre-planning phase of applications. From my years of experience as a councillor, I believe that if we have more experience and meaningful interchange at the pre-planning phase, we will take much of the heat out of the planning process and make for a much better relationship between applicants and planners. Everybody will benefit from that. Delivering a better quality of service in planning is one of my most important objectives as Minister. People have a right to expect expeditious and courteous delivery, electronic access and easy accessibility in their dealings with planning authorities, including those related to rural housing.

New provisions have been added to indicate that returning emigrants who were born and lived for substantial parts of their lives in rural areas, who then moved abroad and who now wish to return to their home places to reside near other family members, work locally, care for elderly family members or simply to retire should have their housing requirements facilitated on their return. I was stunned when a number of people were critical of that provision. We could not provide for our people in the 1950s and 1960s. Those were the dark days and I cannot understand why anybody would have other than a welcome for people who want to return to their home place, particularly those who want to come back to retire. In many cases, these were the people whose returns kept this country going.