asked the Minister for Local Government if the local authorities in the Dublin area have any plans for the maintenance of a green belt between the city and outer county area.

The planning authority mainly concerned with this matter is Dublin County Council. The council's revised draft development plan, which is at present on public display, contains their proposals for development and for the reservation of undeveloped areas.

I am told that no city in the world has so far been able to maintain a green belt around it. Has the Minister some special idea how he can do it here?

As I have said, the draft development plan is on public display in the Black Church until the 16th July. I understand the plan as presented there provides for the reservation of a strip of parkway about 1,000 feet in width separating the existing city from the boundaries of the proposed three new town units, namely, Blanchardstown, Clondalkin, and Tallaght to the western side of the city. The target populations for these three units are 100,000, 100,000 and 136,000 respectively by 1991. It is the intention that larger areas of open space within the boundaries of the new town units will be located adjoining this parkway and there will, therefore, be a substantial green area between the built up area of the town unit and the existing city. In the north of the city it is the council's expressed intention to prohibit or severely restrict development in the aircraft noise zone and a large part of this area will form a green belt area as well. It is also intended to preserve substantial open green wedges between the new town units, one wedge between the existing Naas Road and Tallaght and the other along the Liffey Valley between Clondalkin and Blanchardstown urban units. The plan also provides for the preservation of substantial amenity areas along the river valley and stringent protection of the mountain zone.

It is proposed to maintain the existing green areas within the limits of the city? The Minister has said the new areas will be built on the fringe of the city, but is it proposed to maintain the existing green areas in the city?

The question relates to a belt between the city and the outward county areas.

In other words, the Minister is saying they can sell as much as they like——

The Minister said no such thing.

I am delighted the Minister is looking after my constituency.

Open spaces are provided——

Preserved.

They have to be preserved to be provided.

They are there already in a number of areas but the question is are they going to be preserved?

The draft development plans cater for this quite adequately.

We welcome Deputy Moore and Deputy Tully to come along and see it.

I am interested that Deputy Dockrell approves of what is happening.