Deirdre Clune
Ceist:310 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will provide details of the implications of the national spatial plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24878/99]
Written Answers. - National Spatial Strategy.
The fostering of balanced regional development is a fundamental objective of the national development plan and I draw the Deputy's attention to chapter 3 of the plan which sets the Government's policies to achieve that objective. An important element of these policies is the preparation of a national spatial strategy by my Department. The preparation of the strategy will involve a consultative process with the relevant local, regional and sectoral interests and the social partners and it is estimated that it will take approximately two years to complete. The strategy will translate the policies for more balanced regional development into a detailed blueprint for the spatial development of the country over the period up to the year 2020. The strategy will identify spatial development patterns and will set down indicative proposals for the location of industrial, commercial and residential development, rural development, culture and heritage, including the necessary infrastructure to support these proposals; the strategy will also identify a small number of additional regional gateways to be pro-moted over the period of the plan in support of balanced regional development.