The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, have been called on to drop the provisions in the new Regional Planning Guidelines that aim to restrict people in rural areas building more dwellings on their lands.
The Border Regional Authority, which represents members of the Oireachtas and councillors from the six southern Border counties of Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo, and Donegal, called yesterday on Mr Ahern and Mr Cullen to drop the restrictions.
Councillor Terry Brennan of Louth, who is a member of the EU regional committee of councillors, described the situation as "outrageous".
"In some areas the planners are relenting by saying that if a member of a family is caring for a disabled parent they will get permission to build a dwelling on the farm, but that is totally unacceptable," he said.
Former Fine Gael TD Mr Andrew Boylan of Cavan said if the Government did not drop the restriction there would be no one left in rural Ireland.
A group of councillors threatened yesterday that if the rule wasn't shelved they would take a case to the European Court.
Meanwhile, Mr Jim Connolly of the Irish Rural Dwellers Association said the restriction was completely unacceptable in any shape or form and must be firmly resisted.
A spokesman at the Department of the Environment said the Minister was likely to make a statement on the issue in the coming days.
