Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

In Killarney last week I chaired a conference on rural planning which dealt specifically with the issue of one-off housing. We will be making a grave error if we do not realise the palpable anger that exists in respect of this matter. Those who live in rural communities are of the view that they are being treated in an inferior manner. Five cases were highlighted at the conference and these indicated the contradictions that apply in the planning code. I am of the view that the Government's guidelines in respect of this matter are not being implemented as intended. In one instance, the reason given for the refusal of planning permission was that it would have been possible to see the house from the sea. When five councillors visited the site, they could not see the sea from their vantage point. Who would be out at sea looking at the house in any event?