Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

490. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the new national planning framework will be published; if it has been finalised; if it is proposed to publish it in draft form or in final form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1084/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Planning Framework will act as the strategic planning context for relevant Government policies and investment in housing, water services, transport, communications, energy, health and education infrastructure, as well as the preparation by the three new Regional Assemblies of their new regional spatial and economic strategies, and for planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála. In this context, I have already engaged in successful preliminary consultations with key stakeholders, including with colleagues in other Departments and agencies, in order to inform the Framework, in recognition of the whole-of-Government approach and the challenges and opportunities that exist to better align place making, investment priorities, employment and environmental strategies.

Later this month, I intend to launch the initial public consultation phase on the framework. This will provide all citizens, stakeholders and bodies with an opportunity to have their say on how Ireland should develop over the next twenty years or more. This consultation phase will run until mid-March. Following this and having regard to the views and submissions received, I expect that a draft National Planning Framework document will be available for full consultation by the Summer to enable further discussion and opportunities for input, prior to finalisation later in 2017.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

491. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the national planning framework as outlined to the media during December 2016, the reason he envisages that no area north of County Galway will be earmarked for targeted development similar to his proposals for counties Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway; his further views on the flaws of this exclusionary approach; if this is agreed government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1089/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I intend to launch a preliminary public consultation process later this month, and running until mid-March, to inform the drafting of the new National Planning Framework, a full draft of which will then be published for public consultation before the Summer.

No decision on the detailed content or approach to be contained within the Framework has been taken by me or the Government at this stage. Indeed, I intend that the development of the Framework, one of the most strategically important public policy exercises currently underway by the Government, will be a collaborative exercise whose ultimate success will depend on the degree to which all citizens have the opportunity to have their say on how Ireland should develop over the next twenty years or more, and how we can plan for and accommodate the substantial additional population expected by 2040 in a more strategic and sustainable way.

  Recent media commentary was intended to raise public awareness and stimulate debate on this key strategic policy matter and should not be seen as a firm statement on its content. It will be up to the general public, various public bodies and any other stakeholders to put forward their views to my Department, which is undertaking a number of technical analyses and assessments in support of the development of the Framework. All the relevant matters will then be brought together in the Draft Framework which I intend will address all the relevant strategic territorial planning and regional development issues that our country faces between now and 2040, in relation to rural and urban, as well as terrestrial and marine, elements. In addition to being subject to public consultation, the framework will also be submitted to the Oireachtas for its consideration later this year.