Fianna Fáil spokesperson advocates for rural one-off housing rights on family land

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Rural Affairs Peter 'Chap' Cleere has argued that rural planning decisions must support young families wishing to remain in their home parishes.

Writing in an opinion piece for *TheJournal.ie*, Cleere highlighted the social consequences of strict planning restrictions on one-off housing. He stated that when local people are prevented from building on family land, rural areas lose vital population support, which impacts local primary schools, village shops, and GAA clubs.

Cleere, a former Kilkenny hurler and camogie coach, emphasised that young people seeking to build close to their parents and neighbours are trying to sustain local communities rather than asking for extraordinary concessions. He added that enabling local residency is also crucial in Gaeltacht areas to preserve the Irish language as a living, community-based tongue.