Pat Casey (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I had the privilege to grow up surrounded by a national park. I grew up beside one of our greatest heritage sites. When I saw this amendment I was unsure whether I was reading it correctly. I cannot for a moment see the LDA approaching any of these lands in respect of development. However, I understand the concerns that the Senators have raised. We have county development plans under which all these lands are protected. Section 52(3), which relates to the report that has to be provided by the LDA, states:

In providing a report under subsection (2) the Agency shall, in relation to each parcel of land referred to in the report, take account of: (a) the objectives of the development plan and local area plan in force for the area where the land is situated;

(b) any masterplan affecting the land ...

All of these lands are protected by legislation and the development plan process in every county. I cannot fathom, even with the greatest stretch of my imagination, how the LDA would look at any of these parcels of land with an eye to the potential of building houses.