asked the Minister for the Environment is he aware that Dublin Corporation are administering the planning Acts on the basis of the development plan drawn up in draft form and confirmed in 1971, and that they are still in the process of reviewing that plan as set out within the Acts; if he has satisfied himself regarding the delay in producing a revised development plan and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation Development Plan.
29.
I am aware of the position regarding the Dublin city development plan. The draft plan was on public display from June to September 1976 and a total of 3,672 objections or representations were made. In October 1976 the then Minister requested the corporation to re-examine the recommendations of the Dublin Transportation Study and, pending this re-examination, consideration of the objections relating to the road proposals in the draft development plan was deferred. The report of the re-examination of the transportation study was adopted in principle by the council in February 1979 and arising from it amendments were made in the draft development plan and passed by the council in July 1979. As these amendments constituted a material alteration of the draft development plan, it was necessary to put the amendments on public display for a further period from 18 September to 16 November 1979. The objections and representations made by the public have now to be considered by the corporation. The making and review of their development plan is the function of the planning authority and, while the present delay may be thought long, the provisions of the Planning Acts make specific provision for ensuring that due consideration be given to the views of the public in relation to the provisions of the plan before it is adopted.
Does the Minister not consider that the present situation is unsatisfactory from everyone's point of view? Having regard to the size of the area under the function of the Dublin Corporation, will he consider the necessity of reviewing the Planning Acts of 1976 and 1963? An alternative form of planning process should be designed for the large urban areas, not only Dublin, but Cork and Limerick as well.
I have given the Deputy very detailed reasons for these delays. They are justified under the existing Planning Acts. Without a shadow of doubt public response has to be taken into consideration. The Deputy will surely agree that the reasons given for these long delays are justifiable.
I am not disagreeing, but will the Minister not agree that the process of planning is such that not one comma of it can be changed until every part of it is agreed? Many parts of the developments plans affecting the inner city area were designed and published in draft form in 1968. They are still legally in operation and they are totally unsuitable to the needs of the city. Their reform is being held up because of other matters. In view of the size of the city of Dublin, would the Minister not agree that there is a need to change the planning process, not the democratic participation, for large urban local authority areas?
There is a need to have a look at the possible changes which might be made to improve the procedures not only for Dublin city but for other developing areas as well. There is a need for an improvement in the present structure to speed up development.
How useful does the Minister consider the draft development plans? They are general and open-ended in terms of being able to extend the time. How useful are they?
They are useful to give some guidance to people who are potential developers or builders, and people who are wondering whether or not they should apply for permission. They have a definite use as a guideline for potential developers.
Would the Minister be willing to reconsider the approach to draft development plans because of their lack of any specific objectives? I admit they are a general guide, but the guide is so general as to be nebulous. That is evidenced by the open-ended nature of the actual decisions.
That they should be adhered to more strictly?
They should have more teeth.
That the plans should be adhered to more strictly?
They should be more meaningful.
An Ceann Comhairle, with your permission I should like to raise on the adjournment the abdication by the Minister for the Environment of his responsibility in relation to adjudication on the application for a nuclear plant at Carnsore Point.
The Deputy mentioned another matter which he hopes to raise on the adjournment.
I am giving you a choice.
I will communicate with the Deputy. The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.