Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I support the amendment tabled by my colleague, Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill. To be guilty of an offence under section 70C, one must contravene paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (1), which is substantial and significant. The provision in section 70C(1)(b)(iii) states "adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest". I remind the Minister and Members opposite that in certain parts of Ireland, albeit perhaps not nationwide, bodies such as An Taisce and Friends of the Earth do not want rural housing to be built anywhere. Having read their submissions to the Department, their view was that the shutters should be pulled down as far as planning for once-off rural housing was concerned. This is an issue on which I fought long and hard-----