Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister and thank him for staying to listen to our statements on the guidelines. It is good he has submitted them for consultation, as it gives us an opportunity to brainstorm and reflect in advance of the Minister's return. Our discussion of the guidelines in conjunction with the planning laws is necessary. In the context of the guidelines, we may need to re-examine how the laws fit into the overall plan.

As the Minister stated, good planning is a necessity and not an option, a good line with which to start my contribution. The development plan is the heart of the system. Having been a county councillor for 19 years, I know something about it and have gone through a few good and bad development plans. South Dublin County Council has reshaped the way it makes development plans and it is working well.

We must consider how best to make our urban designs reflect communities. As with all development plans, small is beautiful and, if one starts at the local level, one will get the rest of it right. Policy must be reflected, but developers, planners, architectural teams, councillors and communities must work hand in hand. Councillors and communities know the localities and reflect the areas and their needs, such as in terms of public transport. They know the necessary linkages, be it in terms of schools or health services. Those involved must work together to get the plan right, which I appreciate is stated in the draft guidelines. The best way for the team to work must be implemented.

Most housing schemes to date have comprised members of a single age group. I hope future guidelines will introduce diverse households and age groups, which will make for better communities. An integrated approach should deliver housing for the elderly, a good social mix and social and affordable housing. I grew up in a small village where there was a great concept of the village. Everyone was integrated and one could leave a key in a door. While that may no longer be the case, we should aim for an area's people working together to return their community's soul. After 8 a.m. when people turn keys in doors in many communities that I represent, nothing occurs because everyone goes to work, crèches, primary schools or secondary schools. They have no community facilities and children must go to school and develop friendships outside their areas. I want to move away from this and ensure diverse age groups and households, which will help to re-invigorate community spirit, renew the social fabric and restore quality environments.

Local people know what is occurring. For example, neighbours will play a role if an elderly person needs help. We would not need the health services that are being demanded if we had a good social mix with people caring for one another. This is missing. My vision is to activate rural Ireland and to decentralise. I do not want villages and towns to become extensions of cities because each has its own fabric. All new schemes must be responsive to the heritage of villages and towns and reflective of what is present. The schemes should focus on how best to protect and enhance the business community because, if they do not, we will not respect those who have built the communities.

Many lovely towns and villages throughout the length and breadth of Ireland are being neglected. We must ensure we activate them. My main concern is streaming everything towards top-heavy cities while neglecting the fabric of rural societies. If we activate towns and villages, we will have a fine society.

If the houses being designed are near open spaces, there need not be many gardens in large urban areas. Houses should be developed close to open parks and spaces to allow for amenities, such as walking, cycling, active or passive sports, leisure activities and so on. These factors should be developed in communities. Young people should play in their areas instead of being transported four or five miles down the road. For this reason, it is important to get linkages right and to connect with the Department early on, which I acknowledge is provided for in the development plan.

I hope the Ministers feel as strongly about another matter as I, namely, the new development in Donnybrook, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. I am concerned.