Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has been urged to publish draft guidelines and seek public submissions for rural planning ahead of its final decision on a policy.

These concerns come after the EU judgement called the Flemish Decree was introduced in 2017.

Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív explained: "He has informed me that following the European Commission in the 'Flemish Decree' case in 2017, a working group was established to review and, where necessary, recommend changes to planning guidelines. This working group was set up in 2017 and was meant to report in a very short period of time. Despite the time-lapse since, no public consultation has taken place regarding the possible implications of the 'Flemish Decree' and no new draft guidelines have been published."

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The Galway West politician has warned the government to consult correctly on "what could be one of the defining decisions in relation to the future of rural Ireland".

"The right of people to work and live in the areas they are from, could be seriously compromised by the Court ruling and we have to ensure that the viability or rural areas is maintained in whatever new sustainable rural guidelines are issued. I will continue to push this matter with the Minister to ensure rural Ireland has their say in this process," concluded Deputy Ó Cuív.

(CM/JG)