Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Last week, I called for an urgent debate on what was then the crisis on the streets and cities of the Ukraine. Obviously, events have moved on but, in a sense, they have become much more serious with threatening language from the Russian side. Will the Leader arrange, as soon as he can, that we hear from the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on this matter and to ascertain the official Irish and EU position?

I have listened to some comments on post offices and from Senator Quinn on the question of local business. In that context I want to highlight a media report I read at the weekend on the Government's proposal to fast-track the development of up to 70,000 houses in the Dublin region. All the evidence appears to suggest there is a shortage of housing supply in certain Dublin areas and that needs to be addressed. However, let this House not ignore the fact that there are tens of thousands of vacant units of accommodation in towns, townlands and villages all over the non-Dublin part of this country. The non-Dublin part of this country is not an irrelevant place. Previous Governments tried unsuccessfully, by way of spatial strategies and decentralisation of all descriptions, to regenerate rural and provincial Ireland and it has not worked. We have probably just one last opportunity to reflect on the possibility of rebuilding and regenerating our rural villages, towns and communities. There is social and economic capital in doing so. Although it is a long-playing record not just from me but from every other Member of the Oireachtas, we should have another debate on spatial strategy, rural development and the regeneration of rural communities. That will help, not hinder, Dublin and the Dublin hinterland.