Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I do not know whose phone it is, although it may be mine. I apologise.

We must protect the powers of locally elected representatives. However, I accept that the Minister is trying to ensure that such representatives discharge their duties in the proper way. I support him in that regard.

I am not satisfied with the way in which enforcement orders relating to planning matters are being applied. In some instances, they are not being applied. I am aware of a case where a shed was converted into living quarters. This structure was connected to the water and sewerage systems without, to my knowledge, the approval of the local authority. However, the ESB refused to connect it to the local grid. As I understand it, the relevant local authority and An Bord Pleanála have refused planning permission on two occasions but the enforcement order has not been put into effect. If a law is in place, it must be implemented.

I do not know why we bother introducing laws. Ireland is the best country in the world for introducing laws but it falls down in respect of enforcement. The Derelict Sites Act is not being enforced. There are many eyesores in rural areas and in villages, towns and cities. The legislation relating to dangerous buildings is also not being enforced and this has an impact with regard to the safety of communities.

The terms of the planning guidelines are in line with the Government strategy outlined in Building Ireland's Smart Economy: A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal. The current planning regime is based on the Planning and Development Act 2000, which consolidated and modernised our system, and the national spatial strategy, which was launched in 2002. Regional authorities have been responsible for regional planning guidelines since 2004. Development plans and local area plans are made by planning authorities.

The issue of over-zoning is one of the reasons for the introduction of the Bill. In the era of NAMA, it is clear that we need planning strategies that are much more focused. A "Prime Time" programme on this issue discovered that a town in my county has zoned enough land to cater for local needs up to 2069.