Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House and affording us the opportunity to make our points. I understand that the majority of local authorities want the best for their local communities. In 2011, I was looking for a unit for a family in Labre Park who did not have running water or electricity. I remember speaking about the redevelopment of Labre Park and how we should look at future-proofing it. It is the same here today. We should be future-proofing our planning at a local level, and through this, we should be empowering people from all walks of life. Those from the Travelling community, those living in direct provision, those with visible disabilities and those regarded as troublemakers in a local community, are most likely to be excluded from these places and from local development discussions.

As people know, I was born and reared in Ballyfermot. A few years ago, it was widely reported that apartments were being built in Cherry Orchard, and because the community was not engaged in that consultation on who was going in to the apartments, there was uproar. It is about the empowerment of the community. In many working class areas it is the unknown for many people from different walks of life. What would not happen in Blackrock or Foxrock should not be allowed to happen in Ballyfermot, Clondalkin or Bluebell. It is really important that young people are brought to the table and empowered, and that must be looked at going forward.

One of the main points I wish to make is about communities. If local authorities want sustainable communities, and communities that will work with them, then the communities must be brought to the table. There must be engagement and participation of the elderly and young people within those communities, because engagement is the future.