I attended a corporate policy group meeting in the County House in Lifford with other Oireachtas members and councillors on Monday last. One of the major issues raised was the lack of access to the N56. I have raised this issue in the Chamber before. It was raised by a number of TDs raised in the Dáil last week. It is the planning regulations that have resulted in people's lack of access to the N56. This remains a serious issue. Since I became a Senator, 41 people have indicated their willingness to build on their own farm land but they cannot get access to the road. One couple whose parents' house is located on a lane that they could also use cannot get planning permission. That is totally wrong. This couple were coming home to look after their elderly parents and wanted to live beside them.

The rule that is in place is simply not working for rural communities in Donegal. We have to get the Minister in here to address the matter. On a cross-party basis, councillors, TDs and Senators are all of the same opinion. This rule is not working for Donegal. It is disadvantaging young people who want to come back from Australia. Their mothers and fathers have been living on land in Donegal for centuries. What is happening is totally wrong. Is there any chance we could get the Minister to come to the House for a debate on the matter? I am aware that Deputies are also calling for such a debate in the Dáil. Having a debate is a way to try to see if we can sort this out once and for all. This has been going on for I do not know how many years. People really need to be allowed to build on their own land in order to secure the future of rural communities in Donegal.