Vol. 549 No. 4
204 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the position regarding the national spatial strategy wherein it is suggested that County Laois be located in a new south midlands region with Kilkenny and Carlow; the reasons this has been proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7002/02]
The NSS public consultation paper, "Indications for the Way Ahead", published last September included, among other issues for debate, the viewing of Ireland in terms of 12 functional areas as providing a useful explanation for the basis on which Ireland functions spatially. The paper expressly stated that these tentative areas were not intended to require the adjustment of any regional or other administrative boundaries. While the map appended to the consultation paper shows a south midlands functional area, it did not, accordingly, in any way purport to suggest the establishment of a new south midlands administrative region. A number of the submissions received by my Department in response to the consultation paper have addressed themselves to the role of the above described concept of functional areas. Regard will be had to these and all other submissions in finalising the national spatial ethics strategy.
