Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the national planning framework. Very often politicians can be accused of taking the short-term view, but the national planning framework is a 20-year strategy to drive the future development of the country and the development of the areas where people live, work, socialise and obtain State services. The closing date for the receipt of submissions was last Friday. I have no doubt that the unit within the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is now going through the submissions received. Ultimately, the matter will be debated in both Houses of the Oireachtas when firm proposals will be placed before us. I ask the Leader to facilitate a debate in the medium term, before Christmas, to discuss some of the proposals made in the draft plan which focuses exclusively on five urban settlements - five cities which are all south of a line from Dublin to Galway. There is no focus on urban settlements in the midlands or north of that line. There is a need, in the north west in particular, given the difficulties associated with Brexit, to recognise a cross-Border perspective or narrative in respect of the recognition of Derry, Letterkenny, Strabane and a proposal from Donegal County Council. Ultimately, regional European development funds will be allocated based on urban settlements. If, therefore, there are no urban settlements focused on north of a line from Dublin to Galway, funding will not be focused on these areas. I ask the Leader to facilitate a debate with the relevant Minister in the coming weeks, if possible.