Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. Since the framework's launch, we have had a discussion about the importance of planning and being able to prepare for the future. During an Order of Business last week, Senator Davitt spoke about going on a mystical tour of Ireland. I would love to take him on a real tour and show him the import and future consequences of the national planning framework.

I will not personalise my next remark in any shape or form but, as Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell said, we must be a listening House. That means the Government side listening to other Members, which we do, and Members listening to the advice of the Attorney General or Ministers. It is also about ensuring that we deliver greater transparency, efficiency and integrity in the planning system.

If the Acting Chairman will indulge me for a minute, my next remark will be made in the context of the need for a planning regulator. I am disappointed by the decision of An Bord Pleanála to award a waste incineration licence to Indaver at Ringaskiddy. It is regrettable, not least because the oral hearing, which was held in a transparent manner, demonstrated to me and many others like me that there was no compelling case for the awarding of the licence. There has been much political commentary on the matter.

We must ensure that there is accountability in planning. We have touched on various tribunal reports that dealt with planning matters. It is probably not popular to say it, but we as elected Members need some type of engagement with planners. I am talking about having a role in, rather than influence over, the planning process. Sometimes, decisions are made purely by the book, that is, the learned opinion is A, B and C whereas the lived reality is different. I am confident that the national planning framework will deliver for people in a multiplicity of communities across the country. For example, Cork city will become a real rival to Dublin in light of the former's growth projections. I welcome that the city will have an increased footprint. This is why there is a need to make provision for what is contained within the national planning framework. This is about Ireland in 2040.

As I was walking down the marina last Sunday, I looked across the river at the Port of Cork and could not help thinking about its potential for growth. On yesterday's Order of Business, Senator Humphreys referenced the Irish Glass Bottle Company site. Similarly, we in Cork have an opportunity to grow and develop our city, increase its population and make it a city of scale that will attract further investment. This is why the framework is important. I commend the Minister of State, who gets what this is about in terms of housing delivery and holding local authorities to account.

Despite our back-and-forth discussions at times, I understand where Senator Murnane O'Connor is coming from on this. We need accountability and to see deliverables. We have not forgotten the Fianna Fáil Government's national spatial plan with its hub towns that never existed and buildings that are now empty because of bad decision making.

Senator Humphreys and I have discussed housing many times. He is right about Airbnb, but the ghost estates are nearly all gone. Seven years ago, our country was awash with them.