Bobby Aylward - Fianna Fail TD for Carlow / Kilkenny^{Your Vote - Your Voice}

Press Release

The application of rural planning guidelines will be much more consistent if a National Monitoring Committee is established, according to Carlow-Kilkenny Fianna Fail candidate, Bobby Aylward.

“Fianna Fail is proposing the creation of a National Monitoring Committee to oversee the interpretation of the Sustainable Housing Guidelines. It will be responsible for reviewing the application of the Guidelines. Where the local authority is seen to be too lax, the Committee will make it tighten up. Where it is considered to be too stringent, the local authority will be asked to adopt a fairer approach”, Bobby Aylward said.

“I am fully supportive of Fianna Fail’s initiative. As a Councillor, I have received several complaints about the varying interpretations of the Guidelines. Many young couples and others want to build houses in rural areas but they have been frustrated through a lack of consistency in interpretation.

“Seventy per cent of Kilkenny’s population lives in rural areas. I believe the National Monitoring Committee would be a very positive force in facilitating people to build homes in their own area where they have strong family and community ties.

“People cannot be allowed to build wherever they want but we have to strike a balance. It is vital that we preserve the natural beauty and integrity of the landscape but we cannot block people from building homes in rural areas simply because the interpretation of the planning guidelines is too strict.

“The planning authority must recognise the strong tradition of people living in rural areas. Fianna Fail is committed to promoting and supporting vibrant rural communities. We have a moral duty to protect the natural environment while at the same time meeting the housing needs of all those who want to live in their own area, among their own people. The National Monitoring Committee proposed in the Fianna Fail Manifesto would respond fairly to these demands”, Bobby Aylward ended.

ENDS.

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