Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus roimh na treoirlínte. Tá sé thar am go bhfuil na treoirlínte againn. Níl dabht ar bith le blianta beaga anuas go bhfuil na conraitheoirí móra ag cur brú ar na bailte ar fud an Stáit, agus nach raibh na treoirlínte in ann cosc a chur orthu agus cinntiú go raibh an forbairt a bhí idir láimhe acu an forbairt ab fhearr don todhchaí agus go raibh sé fite fuaite le seirbhísí taisteal, iompair agus sóisialta. Níos mó ná treoirlínte, tá gá le reachtaíocht — ní cheart dúinn é seo a fhágáil leis na comhairlí chontae i gcomhthéasc na pleananna forbairthe.

I welcome these comprehensive guidelines, although clearly a number of questions will arise in respect of them. Guidelines which put an end to the developer-led approach to planning are long overdue. We need balanced and sustainable development that ensures our towns and villages are viable and that the social and infrastructure needs of vibrant communities are met.

Chapter 6 of the guidelines concerns smaller towns and villages and section 6d advises that significant developments should only be considered by local authorities where a local area plan has already been adopted. As a former councillor and member of a planning strategic policy committee, it is a good idea because we were unable to deal with local development through a county development plan. Local area plans are the way to proceed in this regard. However, my county of Donegal has more than 100 towns, which would require the same number of local area plans. If these guidelines are to be adopted, there is a need to invest resources in the planning departments of local authorities throughout the country.