Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister, as everyone respects that he is decent and caring in terms of the environment and, I am sure, in all other respects. I welcome his comments, none of which I disagreed with. Nor did I disagree with the comments of my erstwhile colleagues, including Senators Buttimer, McFadden and Donohoe. I also mention Senator Coffey, who led for Fine Gael. I like the Minister's ideas on the ever-expanding footprint of our urban area and the need for concern. These are draft guidelines and I welcome the Minister's decision to put them out for consultation. There also may be a need for directives because so many developments have been developer-led.

I fully support the Minister's concept of properly-designed development by planners with the input of councillors in advance. I particularly welcome the Minister's statement that high density development does not necessarily mean high rise development. As for the Minister comments on preplanning, it should be encouraged but does not always take place. It should take place with any large-scale development. There has been some disastrous leapfrogging with regard to planning and sometimes, unfortunately, local authorities were at fault. Developers will go where they have land and will do everything to get it. As Members are aware, such land often lacked all the necessary ancillary developments and infrastructure.

The guidelines contain highly laudable objectives and I also greatly welcome the Minister's comments to the effect this does not refer to one-off rural housing, which is necessary to cater for country people. I refer in particular to those who have come from the land and, given the cost of sites, who have been left sites at home, which constitute their only hope of getting on the housing ladder.

Perhaps the Minister is encouraging councils to deal with the issue of high rise development but in the first instance, councils must decide where it is acceptable, if at all. There has been a lack of sufficient policy support. Most councils do not have a framework pertaining to high rise development at present. It should only be acceptable in some of the larger cities in specified location. Senator Ormonde referred to Ballsbridge. I also wish to mention it because it has received much attention and matters could go disastrously wrong. As I understand it, the area is zoned residential in Dublin City Council's plan. A basic tenet of planning policy is that there should be a harmonious relationship. As the Minister has stressed, it must be in keeping with the character of the area. High rise developments should not be tolerated where they will dwarf other buildings. In the case of Ballsbridge, there is a fine row of Victorian residences and I do not know how the proposed development will blend in with it. While I do not make a judgment in this regard, the height that is being sought seems to be rather peculiar.