Michael Noonan
Question:92 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress, if any, being made to draw up a spatial plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26929/99]
Written Answers. - National Spatial Strategy.
In pursuit of its policy of more balanced regional development as set out in the National Development Plan 2000-2006, the Government has mandated my Department to prepare a national spatial strategy over the next two years. On foot of this mandate, my Department has established a spatial planning unit, which will manage the preparation of the strategy. A team of staff assigned to work in the unit will be supplemented as necessary by outside consultants to work jointly with the Department on the strategy. It is intended to have the first phase of the process, identification of the scope of the strategy and the issues it will address, completed by the end of March.
I believe that a strong ‘bottom-up' consultative process is required to develop a high degree of consensus around the scope of the strategy, the principles and criteria to be applied and the proposals for applying those principles. I am, therefore, establishing contacts and putting in place arrangements for wide-ranging consultations with the relevant local, regional and sectoral interests. I am also establishing interdepartmental and cross-sectoral groups to oversee the process of preparing the strategy. In addition, discussions have taken place with the National Economic and Social Council and Comhar – the National Sustainable Development Partnership – with a view to availing of these partnership forums to channel input from the social partners and other interests represented by these bodies.
A successful national spatial strategy will also require the understanding and support of the general public. I am, therefore, taking steps to improve awareness of and provide information about the proposed strategy and to promote informed public debate as the process evolves.