asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the conditions attached to the zoning of land for industrial use, the concern, if any, about the quality of this land, the general standards which apply and if decisions in this matter are left to the local councils concerned.

Industrial development requires planning permission in the normal way and planning authorities have power to grant permission for such development with or without conditions. The development plan, which each authority are required to make, outlines the policy of the authority for promotion and control of development and normally sets out any specific requirements they have in relation to particular types of development. Planning authorities have been advised by my Department of considerations to be borne in mind by them in the zoning of land and in the acquisition of sites for industrial development. However, the final decision regarding the zoning of particular areas for particular purposes is a reserved function of the elected members of each authority.

Is the Minister concerned about the possibility of very valuable agricultural land being zoned for industrial use as opposed to more inferior quality land? Is a specific differentiation made between different types of land?

This is a matter for the local authority. There are guidelines for local authorities when they are drawing up plans. Finally it is a matter for the elected members of the local authority.

Do the guidelines specifically encourage or request local authorities to distinguish between valuable agricultural land and more inferior land for the purpose of zoning?

The local authorities are the best judges of the land. You cannot decide on the land in a particular area unless you know it.

The regulations are the Minister's.

I said guidelines.

The guidelines are the Minister's.

They would use their discretion in all these matters as you would expect elected members to do.