Ray Butler (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I spoke two weeks ago about planning in my local town of Trim where planning permission has been granted for 400 houses. As the economy changes, planning permission will be sought for developments. Just two days ago, a water mains burst in the middle of Trim resulting in something akin to a lake in the middle of the town. The issue ended up as a story on the front page of the Meath Chronicle. Some €1.3 million was supposed to be spent on the 35 year old water plant and on water issues in the area, but that money is gone since the debacle of Irish Water.

We need a debate in this House on the way forward for planning, facilities, services and even schools. I believe local authorities are not looking at the issues when they give planning permission. Two years ago the school in my area was 60 places short yet, although we do not have enough schools, we are now talking about the development of 400 houses in the Trim area. We need a debate in the House on planning and the development of facilities. We had this during the Celtic tiger, when we built continually without putting any facilities whatsoever in place. That left people in a terrible state. The debate on planning should include Irish Water and how we view the role of either the local authorities or Irish Water, if it still exists as we move forward.