Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. He articulated the complexity of the issues very well. I recognise that complexity, as do councillors around the country. We all appreciate that the balance between housing, economic, social and environmental needs has to be got right. All of these elements need to be accommodated and protected.We need to be careful not to allow perfection to be the enemy of the good in this instance. It is now going on 20 years since the guidelines were published. A sense of urgency from the Minister of State would be very welcome. It is incredibly important that power does lie with our local authority members, with our city and county councillors, in making their development plans to provide for good, strategic planning for their local authority areas. Those development plans are informed by these guidelines and those guidelines have to reflect the modern environment and the current need. I urge the Minister to work with his Department and the local authorities and stakeholders to ensure we do get guidelines that are fit for purpose at an early moment.