Vol. 474 No. 1
115 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for the Environment if he has satisfied himself with the level of public consultation by local authorities in relation to the provision of halting sites as provided in the guidelines issued by his Department; the powers, if any, which are available to him in cases where there is a lack of such public consultation; when revised guidelines will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2567/97]
The guidelines for residential caravan parks for travelling people provide that there should be full consultation with the travellers who are to use the sites concerned, or their representatives, and where possible, with local community groups or their public representatives prior to site acquisition. While the acquisition of sites and the manner of consultation with local communities are matters for local authorities, I am satisfied that, in general, local authorities carry out their functions in keeping with the terms of the guidelines.
The guidelines are being revised at present in consultation with local authorities and the national traveller accommodation consultative group and will be circulated to local authorities when this process is completed.
116 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to apply the recommendation in the Crosscare Report that proposals by local authorities for halting sites be subject to the planning laws; his views on that recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2568/97]
As indicated in the reply to Question No. 92 on 2 October 1996, the national strategy for traveller accommodation which I announced in the Dáil on 27 March last provides for a new and amending legislation to put an effective statutory framework in place which would facilitate implementation of local traveller accommodation programmes. Proposals for the amendment of the Housing Acts, the City and County Management Acts and the Planning Acts, including those which have been suggested in recent reports on this subject, are being examined carefully with a view to finalising an effective legislative package.
