Vol. 555 No. 1
42 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when the long promised national spatial plan will be published; the reason for the long delay in publishing the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17367/02]
159 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he expects to publish the Government's spatial plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17515/02]
330 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the full draft of the national spatial plan was completed by the end of 2001; when it will be submitted to Government for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17733/02]
338 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he will publish the national spatial strategy. [17744/02]
341 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the regional growth centres proposed as part of the spatial strategy to encourage growth in regional centres as a counterbalance to the growth in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17747/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 159, 330, 338 and 341 together.
A public consultation paper on the national spatial strategy, Indications for the Way Ahead, was published in autumn 2001 to assist in refining the approach to the national spatial strategy and the detailed policies to be included in it. A total of over 250 written submissions were received in response to the consultation paper from a wide range of national, regional and local bodies, public representatives and individuals.
Following the conclusion of the consultation process, work on drafting the strategy began, with full account being taken in this process of the many different points raised in the submissions. In drafting the strategy my Department has also had to address the spatial aspects of a wide range of economic, social and environmental policies, which has necessarily involved extensive ongoing liaison with other Departments, agencies and bodies primarily responsible for these policies. Issues such as the question of how to implement the strategy and communicate it effectively to the public are also being given careful consideration.
