I propose to take Questions Nos. 1271 and 1298 together.
The strategic planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area (1999), which were prepared by the seven local authorities concerned (Dublin City Council and Fingal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Meath county councils) in conjunction with my Department, provided that development in the greater Dublin area should be consolidated in the metropolitan area, which includes Bray and a number of development centres. In County Wicklow, Wicklow town and Arklow were designated as development centres.
Outside the metropolitan area and the development centres, the strategic planning guidelines indicated that the development should be aimed primarily at meeting local needs. The relevant local authorities were required to have regard to the guidelines in preparing and adopting subsequent development plans for their areas. However, the development of detailed proposals setting out the basis on which the guidelines were to be implemented was a matter for each of the planning authorities concerned.