Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 570: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the Meath master plan policy proposals on the protection of archaeological heritage and enhancing public transport in County Meath; if his Department has made progress on evaluating its proposals for housing, energy, public transport and sustainable tourism for County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17356/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department's Planning Guidelines on Development Plans (June 2007) and draft Guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (February 2008), emphasise that the County Development Plan should focus on creating sustainable communities by incorporating the highest design standards and providing a coordinated approach to the delivery of transport and other infrastructure, services and amenities in tandem with new residential development.

The Meath County Development Plan 2007-2013 sets out a framework for the proper planning and sustainable development of the county, taking account of a range of national and regional policy objectives and priorities. It envisages a holistic and integrated approach to the delivery of the necessary infrastructure and services for the county, while also preserving and enhancing the archaeological and natural heritage.

I met with the authors of the Meath Master Plan in December 2007 to discuss their proposal. Their plan sets out an alternative spatial, developmental and infrastructural context for future development in County Meath and envisages, for example:

Re-design of the M3 between Dunshaughlin and Kells to a "2+1" road, and a buy-out of the M3 toll contract;

Acceleration and extension of the Dublin-Navan rail link to Kells;

A sustainability development plan incorporating local business development, "green" building techniques and sustainable agriculture and tourism development; and

The creation of a World Heritage Park, encompassing the five main county settlements of Navan, Kells, Trim, Dunshaughlin and Slane.

Their proposal provides an interesting contribution to the on-going consideration of appropriate strategic planning and infrastructure investment responses to the development potential and natural and built heritage assets of the county. I understand that the authors have also met with officials from the Department of Transport in relation to the transport infrastructure aspects of their proposal.