18 September 2003: Progressive Democrats Senator John Dardis has come out in support of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's recent comments in support of once-off rural housing.
"I am very glad that the Taoiseach made these remarks and that the Government is to examine current planning and development legislation. The situation as its now stands needs to be urgently reviewed," says Senator Dardis.
"The current policy of restricting people from building a house on their family land is causing huge problems in rural areas. In many instances, children wish to build houses near their elderly parents in order to take care of them. It is madness that they are being prevented from doing this."
Senator Dardis says it is a question of balancing aesthetic and environmental concerns with practicality and that the current restrictive planning laws contradict stated Government policy of achieving balanced regional development. "How can we encourage people to move out of congested urban areas into the countryside if they cannot get planning permission? I am delighted that the Government is signalling its intention to revise the existing law."
