Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

May I ask the Leader if we can have another debate on planning, an issue the House has not discussed for some time? I acknowledge that improvements have been made in this regard. The Minister has issued a number of new sets of guidelines, for example. We need to debate people's right to object to various plans, which is something we have not yet dealt with adequately. New guidelines are needed because it is not reasonable that people who are not directly affected by plans have the right to lodge objections. In some cases, those making objections do not live in the area which is to be affected or even in this country. Such objections can prevent certain forms of development, such as one-off houses and commercial developments which create employment. For example, people who do not live in County Roscommon are blocking a proposed development in a forest park in that county. The future of the development in question, which would create significant employment and would represent a good amenity for the entire region, was debated in this House last week. Objections against one-off housing are being lodged all over the western seaboard, particularly in counties Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim. We need to re-examine the roles of An Taisce, Dúchas and other bodies.