Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the recent report on civic and social life in suburbs presented at NUI Maynooth on 1 April 2005; the lessons that can be learned from it by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11049/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked for a copy of the relevant symposium papers to be sent to my Department so that its findings can be taken into account in the ongoing development of planning policies.

The issues in the greater Dublin area relating to long distance commuter driven developments and people's quality of life require national, regional and local solutions. Implementation of the national spatial strategy will move Ireland towards a national level solution in terms of promoting critical mass in the regions to drive more balanced regional development and reducing the unbalanced development that drives urban sprawl and long distance commuting. A more integrated approach to planning, housing supply, transport and other infrastructure provision in the greater Dublin area is the other key dimension.

The policy and legislative framework for a more strategically focused planning system has been greatly enhanced. The national spatial strategy is Government policy, and the planning legislation has been substantially overhauled under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to provide, inter alia, for an interlocking hierarchy of plans ranging from the national spatial strategy, to regional planning guidelines, development plans and local area plans.

The national spatial strategy and regional planning guidelines require the full support of the local authorities in their development plans. My Department will continue to work closely with regional and local authorities to ensure that development plans reflect the aims and policies of the national spatial strategy and regional planning guidelines.