Government policy which prevents private building on family farms has been condemned by the new leader of the General Council of County Councils.
Mr John Egan, the general council's new national chairman, said yesterday: "It is outrageous that severe restrictions are being imposed on young couples who want to build a new dwelling on the family farm. It's totally wrong for the Government to proclaim that it wants to preserve rural life when it stops people building a home on land which has been in the hands of their family for generations."
Mr Egan called on the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Cabinet to have a rethink on the issue. "A much-delayed National Spatial Strategy will have to be tolerant when it comes to the provision of rural housing . . . Present planning restrictions will have to be eased if the rural community is to survive.
"If there is further rural depopulation, it will lead to the demise of community groups, the end of several GAA clubs and a shutdown of rural schools. We cannot allow this to happen."
Mr Egan, who has been a member of North Tipperary County Council since I979, has called for the support of the 900 councillors which the general council represents in the State in campaigning to get the Government to ease planning guidelines in rural areas.
He added: "We can't allow bureaucrats and theoretical planners to get in the way if Ireland's rural life is to be preserved."