James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope the Cathaoirleach will add 30 seconds to my time, because I want to raise a point of order. Senator Ó Ríordáin accused somebody of being a sex offender. The person has not been convicted. This House believes in due process, and I do not think that is appropriate. People should be given the right to due process. His other comments about the outcome of the election are his own business. I am sure many people in this country are very pleased, and I will not say any more about that.

I rise to talk about the housing issue, which others have raised. This morning the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, was in Lusk, reviewing a new social housing scheme of 74 houses. The houses are rated A2, the top rating, and some of them are occupied already. The Minister then went on to Donabate to turn the sod on a new road that will lead traffic from the centre of Donabate and allow passage down to Portrane. It will also open up the lands there to more housing, private and social and affordable. The housing is badly needed. I concur with Senator Craughwell when he says that we need to acknowledge where progress is made. Much more needs to be done, and we all accept that.

A related issue I want to raise is the new National Forensic Mental Health Hospital there and the number of trucks passing through the centre of Donabate each day. The planning permission was intended to ensure that these would not travel during school opening or closing times, because the footpath coming out of the school is very narrow and there is a danger to children. However, concerned residents have sent me multiple pictures of lorries passing by at those very times, creating serious danger. I cannot confirm whether those lorries are from the hospital site or from other developments, but I must raise the issue of enforcement. When conditions are attached to planning permission, they must be enforced. Fingal County Council is doing fantastic work and is leading the way in many respects, and it may need more staff to ensure that enforcement can be carried out. I would like the Minister to come to the House to discuss this issue on a national basis because the enforcement of planning permission conditions, particularly traffic restrictions, affects areas right across the country.