James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the safeguards he will put in place to protect the integrity of the rural built environment in view of the EU anti discrimination laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19223/07]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 585: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the European Commission request for information on certain county development plans that require specific criteria to be fulfilled before a dwelling authorisation can be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19049/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 585 together.

My Department has this week received a letter from the European Commission which seeks to verify whether the "local needs" test contained in a number of County Development Plans for the granting of planning permission for one-off dwellings in rural areas is compatible with Articles 43 and 56 of the EC Treaty which guarantee respectively the freedom of establishment and the free movement of capital.

The Commission has invited the Government to submit observations on the issues outlined in the letter within two months. Accordingly, I will study carefully the comments and matters raised and will respond to the Commission.