The Taoiseach contrasted the flexibility accorded to people living in cities with that of their rural counterparts when defending the Government's proposals on one-off housing. Michael O'Regan reports.
Mr Ahern said Ireland was the only country in the modern world where people who wanted to live in rural communities were being rejected.
"At the same time, there was a bizarre policy under which one could obtain planning permission to build in one's back garden and front garden in city and urban areas."
He said all over the world people were trying to find ways of keeping people in rural communities. "Franz Fischler, the Agriculture Commissioner, has continually stated that we should use agricultural policy to keep people in rural communities and regenerate these areas."
Mr Ahern was replying to the Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent, who said it was suspected the announcement on one-off rural housing was largely to curry favour before the Fianna Fáil ardfheis and the local elections in June.
He said Mr Jim Connolly, who had done good work dealing with rural resettlement, had referred to many holiday homes which were empty and bringing no life to rural communities.
He added that the Simon Community had calculated that a €500 levy on second homes could bring in €13.5 million, which was €2 million more than the cost of B&B services for the homeless in Dublin, and would pay for quite a number of affordable homes.
Mr Ahern said the announcement related to those born in an area, or who were from an area. "We are trying to change the position in which those who have long been in an area, who have their heritage and roots in an area and who have a connection with the area, and were refused a chance of living there."