Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will do that. I do not propose to accept amendments Nos. 34 and 35 relating to the adoption of the national planning framework, as tabled by Sinn Fein Senators and Senator Murnane O’Connor, respectively. As background to my opposing them, I remind the House that the objectives of the national planning framework are fundamental to the achievement of long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability for Ireland. A more balanced distribution of population and employment growth is considered essential to safeguarding the economy’s growth potential and pre-empting the risk that economic growth would be seriously constrained by congestion costs.

The national planning framework is not about wins and losses for individual towns and villages. It is about the country and what is right for it.