Would the Taoiseach support the extension of the living city initiative to Drogheda?

Yesterday, I asked the Taoiseach about impediments and blockages to housing in terms of people being refused planning permission to build houses for themselves. Many people are now being blocked at a pre-planning stage because of designations in the county development plans. There are areas of intense urban pressure, stronger areas and weaker areas. There could be a young man in an area under intense urban pressure who would not be considered for planning permission if he wanted to buy a house next door to where he is currently living. That matter has to be addressed. The planning guidelines are currently discriminating against many people, especially local people who wish to build a house for themselves. In Europe, it has been found that such discrimination is unfair and illegal. Will the Government address the planning guidelines? It is acting illegally in terms of the planning guidelines which it has given the local authorities. That matter has to be addressed. It has been highlighted by many local media outlets in recent days. When will the Government address it?

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae is aware of the statutory responsibility of each local authority to produce its development plan. Councillors, who are the elected representatives of the people, have a direct say in that plan. If Deputy Danny Healy-Rae is telling me that the majority of planning applications in Kerry are being turned down at pre-planning stage-----

Many of them are.

------what is the nature of the buildings that are being proposed?

Homes for people.

The Taoiseach must be allowed to speak without interruption.

Are they on top of hills? Are they between the road and the sea? Are they too extensive? Are they too elaborate? Pre-planning discussions concern those issues. A person may say he or she wants to build a house which is completely out of order in the location they are proposing and it will be found at pre-planning stage that the house is unjustified but something else might be justified in that location. These discussions have been had in the past and there is an answer to every problem. Sometimes planning will not be allowed and-----

Local authorities are reflecting the planning guidelines given to them by the Government.

Deputies may ask only one question.

Local authorities are acting illegally.

I call on Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

The Government must change the guidelines it is giving to the local authorities. That is where the Taoiseach is wrong.

Perhaps Deputy Healy-Rae and the Taoiseach could meet on the margins.