Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the objectives of the Government national spatial strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4560/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government published the national spatial strategy on 28 November 2002 as a 20-year planning framework designed to enable every part of the country to achieve its potential. The principal aims of the NSS are to achieve more balanced regional development through a better spread of economic activity, employment and population growth, energise the potential of all urban and rural areas with the support of a stronger urban structure, including gateways, hubs and other towns, and set a national context for regional and local planning strategies.

The strategy aims to build up the strengths of all areas to achieve more balanced regional development and population growth. It recognises that a greater share of economic activity must take place outside the greater Dublin area. To achieve this, the strategy sets out a framework within which gateways, hubs and other urban and rural areas will act together to allow areas to grow.