Don't repeat Tallaght planning mistakes

Would parties agree that if community consultation in the planning process is vital for balanced development, that the "consultation process" involved in the major project called the Tallaght Town Centre, which is for the development of a new city, leaves much to be desired as over 50 submissions from locals relating to concerns over density of developments were cynically ignored? Seven months later all councillors and Oireachtas members agree with most of these objections, but the new city goes ahead on the manager's terms, not on the terms of the community inputs.

What policies will the parties put in place to ensure that there is no repeat of this in the future? Will parties consider extending the consultation period for very large projects, like the design of a city, from the very short period of six weeks that was given to the people of Tallaght, from the publication of a "definitive" plan? Will parties consider doing a detailed study of the Tallaght Town Centre Plan in order to ensure that the mistakes are not further compounded?

Gerard Stockil - Chair Tallaght Residents' and Community Umbrella (TRCU)