Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will bring back to the senior Minister and the Department the Senator's suggestion to release lands that are zoned, serviced and ready to go in order that local authorities might be in a position to deliver much-needed housing on those. I take the Senator’s original point about the speed at which this has moved. It could have happened faster and it needs to happen faster. I spoke to the Minister recently about this and there is a sense of urgency in terms of finalising the NPF.

With regard to the county development plans, it is welcome that a direction will be given to local authorities to open up their county development plans again and to make sure that, where there is appropriate land, brownfield sites will be developed to deliver those houses. Unfortunately, the NPF has to be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas before a direction can be given to local authorities to open up their county development plans, so that is urgent.

I welcome the Senator’s comment on regional development, which is key. I also hear his point on the regional spatial strategy, which has to be sequential and within an appropriate timeline.

I again thank the Senator for raising the matter. I will come back to him on his suggestion.