Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

Like Senator Ó Murchú, I am interested in the revival of vibrant rural communities. There was an interesting conference on the subject in Kilkenny that, unfortunately, I could not attend owing to the death of Senator Tony Kett. It is an issue we must discuss because we must strike a balance in society. There has been too much movement to cities and towns; we are leaving rural Ireland in a dark alley. When will the amendment to planning legislation be brought before the House? It presents a golden opportunity to discuss our planning laws and the issue of one-off housing at length. We need a new forum, in which all stakeholders — An Taisce, planners, councillors and county and city managers — can examine how we might shape the future and change society. We have a golden opportunity to discuss the issue, as the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs pointed out at the conference. Will the legislation be brought before the House before the summer recess? Now more than ever we must discuss the future of society. Who watches the planners? From where do they get their guidelines and how are they implementing them? How knowledgeable are they about local development plans? I would like to put these questions when the Bill is introduced.