Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute briefly on the debate on the national spatial strategy. I listened to much of what the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, had to say, especially on the consultation that took place in the current round. I am surprised to note that the spatial strategy dates from 2002. I thought it was more recent. It has aroused a certain level of debate and concern in rural constituencies, such as my own, and in urban areas. It was interesting to hear comments and contributions from various speakers, coloured to some extent by the experiences of their regions and local authorities. There is an acknowledgement on all sides of the House that the fundamental philosophy underlying the spatial strategy is sound. While doubts were expressed about the efficacy or, more particularly, about the manner in which it was implemented, there is acceptance of the need for a spatial strategy along the lines of what we have. Some of the major investment decisions have been made by taking account, at a minimum, of the existence of the spatial strategy and the fact it determines to a considerable extent how this works out.

These debates provide a useful form for Members of the House to have input. As a Member of the Oireachtas, one is sometimes struck by the level at which debates on these issues are conducted remotely from Parliament. This provides an opportunity for Members to have a direct input and to set down their considerations. An Oireachtas joint committee was briefed by the Department on this matter and came up with responses that are sometimes much better when directed by the de facto specialists owing to their membership of the Oireachtas committee.

Some of the key points raised in the debate concerning the purpose, direction and implication of the national spatial strategy are important and should inform the future direction of the policy. There is a perception that the national spatial strategy is exclusively about gateway cities and hubs. That feeds into the view, common in parts of rural Ireland, that it works against the growth and development in rural areas.

It behoves all of us to address this misconception. First, to establish that it is a misconception and to address it in terms of ensuring that the growth of the hub and gateway cities is done in such a manner as to benefit the rural hinterland and also not to undermine the potential of the rural hinterland to achieve its own level of development. The strategy is not just about growing the gateways and hubs to the detriment of all other areas. It is about maximising the potential of all the regions, urban and rural areas, to the benefit of all inhabitants and the country as a whole. It is also about sustaining and supporting rural communities. The strategy includes key policies and principles to enable rural areas to develop in a sustainable and balanced way. Sometimes the short version of the spatial strategy overlooks all of this.

Rather than dismissing the strategy, the key question should be how we can deliver better and more consistently on its objectives. For example, in the executive summary as well as the main body of the report it states:

There is scope to better harness the potential of rural areas and create new employment therein, particularly in the sustainable use of indigenous natural resources in agriculture and agri-business, forestry, fisheries, renewable energy and tourism sectors, but also in other areas such as knowledge-based or creative sectors, which are not location-critical. All such strategies and initiatives will require practical support at all levels of Government, State agencies and the private sector.

Part of the argument on the strategy is that we need to ensure the part set out in the report and the executive summary is also given balanced and equal treatment.

A recent report by the National Competitiveness Council reinforced internationally accepted analysis that strong cities make strong regions. Having a vibrant, progressive and growing urban core is critical to supporting the wider region's economy - the corollary is that without a strong regional and urban focus, the surrounding rural areas will suffer in terms of lower economic growth and less opportunity to develop sustainable rural initiatives. As a nation focused on getting back on its feet economically, we cannot afford to let that happen. However, it should not be said that growth cannot happen in rural areas. What we need to do is manage the significant pressures that have arisen in recent years on unplanned and dispersed commuter-driven development, for the most part generated by displaced urban demand, that does not provide a sustainable basis for rural towns and villages to create vibrant communities.

Regional planning guidelines which are adopted by the elected members within each region are the linchpin between the national spatial strategy which sets the broader strategic planning framework at central government level and local planning which sets the local context for development planning and development management. The new and updated regional planning guidelines, the last of which is scheduled to be adopted next week, and the 2010 national spatial strategy report both recognise the integral link and need for balance between growing those larger urban areas that have capacity and infrastructure already in place to grow, and facilitating development in more rural areas.

However, the regional planning guidelines do not state growth should not happen outside of the gateways or hubs - what they are aiming to do is assess and guide on a regional and county by county basis how we can best manage future growth, both within the region itself and across the country as a whole. Past planning mistakes where large suburban-style estates were built on the fringes of small settlements and where long-distance commuting was facilitated should no longer be allowed to happen. What we want to see is more sustainable patterns of growth that will enhance rural communities and create successful and cohesive rural areas.

Another key message from the national spatial strategy report is the importance of prioritising and co-ordinating investment. The report highlights, from a spatial planning and regional development perspective, the key areas for continued investment in the stock of Ireland's physical and social infrastructure, namely, supporting employment and a return to an enterprise-led smart economy, completing a sustainable transport network, building on sustained investment in recent years, promoting environmental sustainability with sustained investment in water services and energy efficiency together with habitat protection as a particular focus, delivering sustainable communities through sustained investment in regeneration of existing disadvantaged urban areas, catching up on infrastructural deficits in areas that have developed rapidly in recent years, and harnessing the potential of rural areas, including a more diversified rural economy and the potential of such areas to develop productive local economies, and to deliver sustainable energy alternatives towards a less carbon intensive economy. Now that the report has been published, it is time to get on with implementing its key actions. The Government looks forward to the continued support of Members of this House in that respect.