Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I wish to share my time with Senator Ormonde. I welcome the Minister to the House and I very much welcome the Progressive Democrats motion on rural planning. My experience of this issue is not great due to my background in Dublin city. However, this is an issue that has exercised the Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government for some time and I have discussed it with colleagues from both Houses. During the summer the committee contacted every county and city manager in the country regarding the implementation of the guidelines and the majority replied in a positive manner. Some questions remain as to whether the spirit of the guidelines is being upheld in some counties, but the majority of local authorities are doing their utmost to implement the guidelines in the spirit they are intended and to the letter of the law.

There are outstanding issues in both rural and urban contexts. In Dublin there are pre-planning meetings and discussions with planners on suggested developments. These are issues that affect every part of the country. There has been a huge explosion in the building industry and, as the Minister pointed out, we have progressed from employing between 30,000 and 40,000 people to employing 250,000. Record numbers of houses have been built each year in recent years and we have maintained a quality of environment that other countries throughout the world observe with envy. This has been achieved through the prudent implementation of existing laws and the introduction of other elements, including the guidelines.

The debate seemed to be leaning towards agricultural issues earlier and we should return to the motion and the planning issue. One of the first words in the Minister's speech was tradition. He referred to the tradition of Irish people living in rural areas. This may be even relevant in an urban context because, in Dublin, there are what are considered to be urban villages. Issues such as the design, size and height of properties apply there as does density of population. Tradition plays an important part in rural areas. When one hears the Minister address this issue, one understands that any guidelines introduced are in the best interests of local communities.

Getting information on how, why and when planning decisions are made is a major issue in Dublin. Pre-planning meetings with planners save everyone involved trouble, not only those applying for planning permission, but also those with objections.

I have listened to Senator Henry on the issue of water treatment and in the past ten years, we have progressed from 20% to 90% water quality. This has been achieved through prudent investment, and many towns and cities, including Dublin, Galway and Cork, have first-class water treatment services.

The guidelines are not perfect as regards effects on rural areas and there always will be individual issues. However, they are effective and once implemented in the right spirit, as the Minister said, they will enhance the countryside.