Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I note that the Western Development Commission's report revealed an underspend of 30%. However, that money has not been spent anywhere else and we have until the end of 2009 to spend it. I am confident the Government will meet its target in that regard. The number of houses being built today is double the figure when this Government entered office in 1997. With regard to planning issues in general, I support the broad thrust of the motion and urge the Minister to consider its contents with an open mind. I have long had concerns about the right to object because I have a fundamental problem with the fact that somebody living in California can object to a planning application brought by a person who wishes to build a house in County Sligo. That provision is simply wrong and needs to be changed.

Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to welcome the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Bill 2006. That Bill will be of great benefit in terms of avoiding emotive scenarios such as the Sligo inner relief road, which took 22 years to complete largely because of local indifference. However, we ought to revisit the issue of how a project in a particular area comes to be regarded as strategic because decisions in this respect vary between regions. Lough Key Forest Park in County Roscommon, for example, brought significant local benefits in terms of employment and tourism, even if it was not strategically important to other regions. I would support the establishment of local bodies, such as local authorities or regional units of An Bord Pleanála, which would have a better understanding of the area and would be more informed about cases.

We often hear it said by planners that their job is not to design houses. However, applications have been often refused over issues which could have been resolved if the agent for the applicant had been advised in advance. In that regard, a more proactive approach would be useful.