Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

Today I listened to the chairman of NAMA comment on the agency's dealings with the first phase of developers. He talked about the many ill-conceived and ill-designed structures such as office blocks and hotels that were surplus to requirements. I seek a debate on the role of Irish culture in revitalising the country. I am talking about the physical fabric of the country, not our writers or musicians. This is a discussion the community at large wants. In particular, we should revisit the planning guidelines which involve the way planners do their business and the question of whether architects pay enough attention to the design, appearance and character of an entire region, which is important. We must also take into account our heritage. We all visit many other European cities and the first thing we look at is the built heritage. I would not like anyone coming here to look at our heritage in regard to the built environment because there is nothing but derelict sites to be seen. We need to examine this issue because many people will want to visit Ireland to examine our built environment. It is part of our culture and we need to preserve and conserve it. There is, therefore, a role for planners and architects. This is 2010, not 2003, when we were in the middle of the economic boom. Different concepts are emerging which from time to time we will need to revisit in the Chamber.