Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree fully with Senator Craughwell's comments on local authority members and the Fianna Fáil group had a Commencement debate on the issue some time ago. The Minister said clearly that he would have an announcement by Hallowe'en and I am disappointed the date has passed without any announcement. I am sure the Leader will deal with it.

The national planning framework maps out the future plans for the infrastructural development of this country up to 2040. I am extremely disappointed with the contents of the document as it turns its back on the Border counties and on Northern Ireland. Its sole focus seems to be on the development of the four main cities, Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick. If one was to draw a line between Dublin and Galway, everything north of the line seems to have been forgotten about. I am extremely disappointed because we often hear the Government talking in this House about how it is going to address the decline of rural Ireland but this very important document, setting out the future vision for this country, totally ignores rural Ireland.Brexit, when it happens, will have serious implications for this country. I am at a loss to understand how we can plan for the future when we do not know the effects of Brexit on this country. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to stall the plan, which is to map out the future of this country. Any investment will be based on the recommendations contained in the plan but it is a flawed document. At least one town in every county is entitled to have an ambition for growth. This document ignores that. Tomorrow is the last day for submissions on the national planning framework document. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to stall the process for now so we can take more time to ensure rural areas are not forgotten about when the plan is being drawn up.