Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 7

Written Answers. - Land Use and Transport Authority.

John Bruton

Ceist:

236 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport when he will introduce legislation to establish a greater Dublin land use and transport authority; and the powers that this authority will have over Meath County Council. [15296/02]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The Government, in April of last year, published a consultation paper on institutional arrangements for land use and transport planning in the greater Dublin area. The consultation paper proposed that a new greater Dublin land use and transport planning body be established, which would have responsibility for strategic regional land use and transport planning and have statutory powers to supervise and ensure implementation of strategies and programmes by all implementing agencies. The consultation paper provided that the body would also act as a public transport regulator for the greater Dublin area, and be responsible for the allocation of funding to implementing agencies, including local authorities.

The consultation paper indicated that local authorities, including Meath County Council, would continue to be responsible for the preparation and adoption of local development plans and the making of decisions on individual planning applications and the implementation of transport infrastructure projects within their remit. The paper also proposed that the new body would have powers similar to those available to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government under the Planning and Development Act, 2000, to ensure compliance with the regional land use and transport plan.

During the consultation period a total of 57 submissions were received by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Work is now advanced on the preparation of the legislation on the basis outlined above taking account of the views expressed during the consultation process. The intention is that the general scheme of a Bill will be approved by Government at an early date with a view to its drafting and publication as soon as possible.