Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I move amendment No. 56:

In page 28, paragraph (b), between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following:

"(i) the provision of facilities for physical activity to promote a healthy lifestyle.".

Section 24 amends section 48(17) of the Principal Act. Section 48 provides that: "A planning authority may, when granting a permission under section 34, include conditions for requiring the payment of a contribution in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the planning authority and that is provided, or that it is intended will be provided, by or on behalf of a local authority (regardless of other sources of funding for the infrastructure and facilities)". Subsection (17) provides the necessary definition of public infrastructure and facilities under various headings. Section 24 proposes the extension of the wording to include, within the definition of public infrastructure and facilities, the refurbishment, upgrading, enlargement and replacement of roads, car parks, car parking etc.; the provision of high capacity telecommunications infrastructure such as broadband; and the provision of school sites etc.

I strongly welcomed section 24 on Second Stage. In the context of the Bill, it is particularly desirable that there be that focus on the communitarian dimension. I welcome and support Senator Quinn's proposed addition which would on page 28, paragraph (b), between lines 39 and 40, to insert a new paragraph (i), the provision of facilities for physical activity to promote a healthy lifestyle. On Second Stage Senator Quinn made some valuable points on the importance of promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. He made the point that urban planning should promote an active lifestyle to ensure citizens could lead a healthy life. He noted that the Bill called on local authorities to show how their future planning strategy would align with national and regional policy and how the provision of land for residential development would align with population projections.

Senator Quinn made particularly valid points about obesity levels in Ireland and said we had not done enough in that regard, which is the case. He noted a 2007 report by the World Health Organization which showed the link between physical activity and health and the need to create opportunities to engage in active living in urban environments. The WHO argues that issues such as access to physical activity facilities, land use mix, transport opportunities and perceived safety measures in neighbourhoods impact on physical activity levels and, therefore, on life expectancy. While the Senator accepts that where a person lives is linked with leading an active lifestyle, he said - I agree with him - that there was a lack of integration when it came to urban planning.

It is appropriate that Senator Quinn's amendment to insert a reference to the provision of facilities for physical activity to promote a healthy lifestyle should be considered. This would be included in substitution for the existing paragraphs (e) and (f) in the principal Act. I urge the Minister of State to take a positive view of the proposal.