Rural TDs lash minister on building plans

Fine Gael rural TDs have cornered Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy over concerns about building and infrastructure plans over the next two decade for areas outside urban centres.

Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd signalled, during a long party meeting on the national planning framework, that he may lose his seat if there is a decision not to designate Drogheda as a city in the future.

Economic-led reasoning for development over social needs under the plan also outraged some TDs and senators at the meeting.