Opposition parties and professional organisations have expressed disappointment with the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) unveiled this morning.
Fine Gael spokesman for the Environment Mr Bernard Allen was sceptical as to whether the strategy could be implemented. He argued it was three years too late, coming in the middle of the National Development Plan Programme.
"This strategy has to be considered in the context of what has happened to the National Health Strategy, which . . . is in tatters because of cutbacks," Mr Allen said.
Mr Denis Naughton, Fine Gael transport spokesman, also cast doubts on the plan in light of recent announcements on the decommissioning of rail lines in the southeast and the west. "One Department is trying to develop towns while the other is trying to dismantle the infrastructure," he said.
Labour Party spokesperson on the environment and local government Mr Eamon Gilmore, has called for a Dáil debate on the NSS
"The Government is publishing the document today, on the last Dáil sitting day before Budget week," he said. "This is clearly intended to avoid a Dáil debate on a major policy document, which has enormous potential for internal differences and unease in the Government parties".
The Green Party said it was, overall, disappointed with the final document - arguing its failure to outline investment in rail services effectively made the NSS a "roads builder's charter".
Environment spokesperson Mr Ciaran Cuffe said: "There is also a fudge on the issue of one-off housing, and it appears that suburban sprawl will continue around the greater Dublin area".
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) gave the plan a cautious welcome but said it would be waiting for detailed clarification by the Department of the Environment on the specifics of the strategy.
The business and employers' organisation IBEC expressed disappointment with the NSS. "The fact that so many towns have been prioritised greatly reduces the potential of the strategy to support Ireland's ongoing economic and social development," IBEC director of enterprise Mr Brendan Butler said.