I intend to launch a preliminary public consultation process later this month, and running until mid-March, to inform the drafting of the new National Planning Framework, a full draft of which will then be published for public consultation before the Summer.
No decision on the detailed content or approach to be contained within the Framework has been taken by me or the Government at this stage. Indeed, I intend that the development of the Framework, one of the most strategically important public policy exercises currently underway by the Government, will be a collaborative exercise whose ultimate success will depend on the degree to which all citizens have the opportunity to have their say on how Ireland should develop over the next twenty years or more, and how we can plan for and accommodate the substantial additional population expected by 2040 in a more strategic and sustainable way.
Recent media commentary was intended to raise public awareness and stimulate debate on this key strategic policy matter and should not be seen as a firm statement on its content. It will be up to the general public, various public bodies and any other stakeholders to put forward their views to my Department, which is undertaking a number of technical analyses and assessments in support of the development of the Framework. All the relevant matters will then be brought together in the Draft Framework which I intend will address all the relevant strategic territorial planning and regional development issues that our country faces between now and 2040, in relation to rural and urban, as well as terrestrial and marine, elements. In addition to being subject to public consultation, the framework will also be submitted to the Oireachtas for its consideration later this year.
