Christopher O'Sullivan
Cork South-West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The aim of the hierarchy of the plan-making, as set out in the Act of 2024, is to improve scope for the various tiers of the planning system to more closely relate to one another, therefore providing greater clarity and consistency for all involved, from individual citizens and residents' groups to landowners and developers and ultimately…”
“My understanding is that a ten-year modernisation programme has already been undertaken by the Courts Service and significant progress has been made in improving the availability and use of court data.”
“Under the Act of 2024, the national planning framework continues to spearhead and explicate the planning agenda and sits at the pinnacle of the plan-led system and structure, whereby all tiers of planning from regional to local align with strategic objectives set out in the national planning framework.”
“The Senator has suggested that such plans would identify strategic development priorities, including settlement hierarchy, infrastructure corridors, climate adaptation measures and areas for regeneration; set out indicative phasing for major infrastructure and public investment; include spatial mapping of long-term development objectives;…”
“The Bill also facilitates the completion of the work of the Valuation Tribunal and the facility for the local authority to issue the levy demand and, where necessary, for An Coimisiún Pleanála to deal with any appeals to the demand that may arise in those existing cases currently with the tribunal.”
“As the system of plan-making in the State has just been revised and is being implemented for the first time, the introduction of another layer of plan-making could undermine the new hierarchy that was carefully arranged and agreed following extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders, including the Office of the Attorney General, an…”
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“In guidance prepared by the Department in advance of each poll, it is recommended that at least one in four voters should be asked for the required identification. Electoral law also provides for a range of offences and penalties in this regard. Section 134 of the Electoral Act 1992 provides for the offence of personation. Section 35 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 provides that it is an offence to take or interfere with a polling information card or to use a polling information card at a polling station that is not addressed to the person presenting it. There are appropriate penalties for both offences. Similar offences are provided for in relation to all polls. The prosecution of offences is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
“Substantial reforms to the Electoral Acts in 2022 brought about a significant modernisation of the electoral registration process, including the introduction of rolling registration and the use of PPSNs in the application process to enhance the integrity of the electoral register. Local authorities are engaged in detailed work to improve the data quality of their electoral registers in advance of migration to a new national system in 2026. Electoral legislation provides that at the polling station, the returning officer or the presiding officer may, or if required by a personation agent shall, request any person applying for a ballot paper to produce a specified identification document. If a person fails to produce the identification required, they are not permitted to vote.”
“I just wanted to make that general comment at the start and say that I cannot, as the Senator knows well, comment on individual cases. The primary role of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, local authorities, in their capacity as registration authorities, are responsible for the management and maintenance of the electoral register, and returning officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums. Electoral law provides for significant measures relating to voter identification and the prevention of personation in order to counteract voter fraud and to protect the integrity of the register.”
“I thank the Senator for raising the general issue of fraudulent voting. He will understand and will not be surprised to hear that I cannot comment on individual cases, but I will make some general comments because I agree with him that fraudulent behaviour in the voting process strikes at the core of democracy. There are other issues as well. We all, as the Senator said, have put ourselves up for election. It is a stressful time, including for our families and our friends, and one does so in the hope that we can trust the electoral system. If there is fear that fraud may be carried our or that votes are cast inappropriately, it undermines that. It undermines not only us as candidates but also democracy in general and means that people's voices, essentially, are not heard in the way they should be.”
“I appreciate the points made by the Senator but there is a whole myriad of reasons why land with planning permission require extensions. There could have been barriers or something prohibiting the development of that land. That is the exact reason why we are introducing this legislation, to try to use every lever and tool possible to ensure we deliver as many houses at scale and as quickly as possible. The Senator's amendment seeks to introduce an amendment where a local authority is satisfied there were considerations of a commercial, economic or technically aid beyond the control of the applicant which has militated against the commencement of the development. We feel - and I am certainly satisfied - the requirements, as set out in this legislation are sufficient and appropriate. I therefore cannot accept the Senator's amendment.”
“Article 42 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 provides that applications for extensions of duration should be accompanied by, among other things, particulars of the works which are proposed to be carried out, pursuant to the permission during the additional period by which the permission is sought to be extended, the date or projected date of commencement of the development to which the permission relates, the additional period by which the permission is sought to be extended and the date on which the development is expected to be completed. I am satisfied these requirements are sufficient and it is appropriate such matters are set out in regulations rather than primary legislation. Prior to commencing this provision, these regulations will be reviewed and updated, if needed, to reflect this provision.”
“Amendment No.35 seeks to provide that an extension shall only be granted where the authority is satisfied there were considerations of a commercial, economic or technical nature beyond the control of the applicant that substantially militated against the commencement of a development. I cannot accept these amendments as there are already regulations associated with section 42 of the 2000 Act which deal with some of these issues.”
“Amendments Nos: 18, 22, 23, 33, 35, 45, 54 and 55 are all minor amendments to change the language used in the Bill for consistency. They change references to the Bill's commencement and the coming into operation of the Bill.”
“This was a three-year painstaking process where there was extensive public consultation. We are satisfied that it is compliant with the Aarhus Convention. In relation to where an extension of duration would require an appropriate assessment or environmental impact assessment, these would be screened. If it is deemed that a development requires either of those, the extension of duration will not be granted. As Minister with responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity, I am satisfied that these areas are safeguarded.”
“These amendments sought to add public participation requirements to the suspension of duration and extension of duration provisions. I am satisfied that the provisions as drafted are appropriate. The Act of 2024 includes procedures, including public participation for extensions of duration where an EIA or AA is required. The Act of 2000 does not allow extensions to duration where an EIA or AA is required. Many of the Senators referred to compliance with the Aarhus Convention. I assure them this legislation is in compliance with the convention. There have also been many references to environmental impact, the habitats directive and the birds directive. Again, these are catered for within the legislation because where an EIA or AA is required, an extension of duration cannot be granted. Therefore, we cannot accept these amendments.”
“Similarly, section 180 of the 2024 Act provides that details of the suspension of duration of a permission due to a judicial review shall be entered on the planning register. For these reasons, I cannot accept the amendments.”
“The extension of duration and suspension of duration provisions proposed in the Bill are in line with existing provisions. It should be noted that extensions of duration cannot be granted where the extension proposed would require an environmental impact assessment or appropriate assessment. If an EIA or AA is required under the Act of 2000's procedures, a new application for permission would be required in respect of the development and thus require requisite public notification and participation. Under the Act of 2024, if an EIA or AA is required, there are procedures for material extension of duration that include public participation and notification procedures. In relation to the publication of notices, section 42(5) of the 2000 Act provides that the details of any extension of duration is entered on the planning register.”
“I will address amendments Nos. 17, 19, 44 and 46 Amendments Nos. 17 and 19 seek to provide for a third-party observation as part of the suspension of duration due to judicial review provisions in section 13. Amendments Nos. 44 and 46 seek to make similar provisions for third-party observations as part of the extension of duration provisions in section 16. The criteria for the suspension of a duration and the extension of a duration are set out in the legislation and do not involve a decision of the planning authority beyond whether the criteria are met. If the criteria set out in legislation are met, the planning authority shall grant the suspension or extension, as a decision of the planning authority beyond whether the criteria are met is not part of these processes. Public participation is not necessary nor is it appropriate.”
“The Minister of State, Deputy John Cummins, already outlined in great detail why these amendments cannot be accepted. I am satisfied with the existing requirements in Part 3 of the Act of 2024 that relate to zoning and the requirements in Part 7 of the Act of 2024 that relate to the housing strategy. The matter raised is adequately covered in the Act of 2024 and therefore I cannot accept the amendments.”
“With the support of the Houses, I hope to have this Bill enacted before the summer recess. I will seek to respond to any specific questions and engage further on Committee Stage. Before I commend the Bill to the House I stress that this is a necessary piece of legislation. The Minister, Deputy Browne, constantly says we need to use every tool at our disposal to ensure an increased supply of housing in a quick and efficient way, and to continue to give regard to the right of the public and individuals to have an input into the planning process. The Bill is necessary and timely, considering the challenges we face with the provision of housing. I look forward to listening to the contributions from Senators today. They will certainly be taken on board. I also look forward to Committee Stage where certain amendments will be introduced.”
“In this regard, certain modifications to existing permissions that are in accordance with the provisions of the new apartment guidelines will be deemed to be permitted modifications. The permitted modifications will be limited, with no change to the scale or mass of a development. Changes to the internal layout will be allowed in line with the new guidelines and certain limited external modifications to align with the internal changes will also be permitted. Developers will need to inform the planning authority of the proposed changes, and provided that they are in line with what is set out in the amendment, the modified permission will be allowed. This will be a timebound provision for two years only, to encourage the activation of existing permissions, rather than developers having to seek a new permission in such cases.”
“An extension of duration may only be granted where environmental impact assessment or appropriate assessment would not be required for the proposed extension. Section 17 is a technical amendment to ensure references in the 2000 Act include references to similar terms in the 2024 Act on commencement of Part 3. I will bring forward a number of amendments on Committee Stage, the majority of which deal with transitional arrangements arising from moving from the 2000 Act to the 2024 Act. I will also bring forward amendments relating to the new apartment guidelines that were published this week. The Government is committed to ensuring that housing is delivered as quickly as possible and that we do everything we can to support developments that already have planning permission.”
“Part 3 amends the 2000 Act and provides for the extension of duration of permissions. Section 16 amends the 2000 Act to enable an extension of duration of up to three years to permissions for housing developments that have not yet commenced and have less than two years remaining on the duration of permission. To encourage activation of housing development, the application for the extension must be made within six months of the commencement of the legislation and the development must commence within 18 months of the commencement of the legislation. In line with existing provisions, a further application for an extension of up to two years may be made once the development is substantially complete.”
“It provides that where a permission was or is subject to judicial review, the holder of the permission may seek a suspension of time for the period the judicial review was or is ongoing. Applications for suspension of duration may be made provided that the person applying declares that development did not substantially commence, which excludes works for the maintenance, security or protection of the development site, while the judicial review is ongoing. Section 14 amends section 303 of the 2024 Act to clarify that the application of sections 50, 50A and 50B of the 2000 Act to decisions under the 2024 Act cease to have effect on the commencement of the relevant provisions in Part 9 of the 2024 Act. Section 15 is consequential to section 16 and updates cross-references.”
“Section 12 deals with local area plans and provides that when the making or amending of a local area plan is commenced under the Act of 2000, before the commencement of Part 3 of the Act of 2024, it may continue under the Act of 2000 and that variations to existing local area plans that are continued in force under the Act of 2024 may be made, subject to the provisions of the Act of 2024. It also provides that local area plans shall be regarded in decision-making processes under Act of 2024. Section 13 relates to judicial reviews. This section extends the pause of the duration of permission during judicial review proceedings to permissions granted under the Act of 2000 and subject to judicial review under that Act.”
“Section 10 is a transitional measure to provide for a development plan prepared under the Act of 2000 and continued in force under the Act of 2024 on the commencement of Part 3 to be regarded in decision-making processes under the Act of 2024. Section 11 provides that where the making of a development plan or a development plan variation has commenced under the Act of 2000 prior to the commencement of Part 3 of the Act of 2024, it may continue under the Act of 2000, notwithstanding its repeal, and it is to be regarded in decision-making processes under the Act of 2024.”
“Section 6 disapplies section 56 of the Act of 2024 for development plans made or varied under the Act of 2000 and continued in force under the Act of 2024. Sections 7 to 9, inclusive, are related. They allow for the assessment of any variation to development plans made under the Act of 2000 and continued in force under section 68 of the Act of 2024, or any development plans made or varied in accordance with section 69 of that Act. This will allow variation of such plans to be assessed with respect to the variation only rather than the criteria in the Act of 2024. Sections 8 and 9 make consequential amendments to sections 64 and 65 of the Act of 2024 to update cross-references.”
“Section 3 is a transitional measure that provides for any guidelines issued under the Act of 2000 and continued in force under the Act of 2024 on the commencement of Part 3 to be regarded in decision-making processes under the Act of 2024. Section 4 provides for a report to the relevant regional assembly setting out progress made with regard to the regional spatial and economic strategy. This ensures that local authority reports continue to be prepared once a year in advance of a regional assembly report. Section 5 is a transitional measure to provide for a regional spatial and economic strategy made under the Act of 2000 and continued in force under the Act of 2024 on the commencement of Part 3 to be regarded in decision processes under the Act of 2024.”
“Permissions of all types have also been delayed due to judicial review proceedings which were outside the control of the holder of the permission. In many cases this has resulted in a minimum time left to commence the development once a judicial review has concluded. This Bill will address expiring permissions to encourage their activation through focused and time-bound measures. I will now outline the main provisions of the Bill, which consists of three Parts. Part 1, namely sections 1 and 2, contains provisions of a general nature including definitions. Part 2, comprising sections 3 to 15, inclusive, amends the principal Act, which is the Planning and Development Act 2024.”
“Local authorities will be required to update their current development plans over the coming months. This brings me to the measures I wish to introduce through this Bill. The Government is committed to enabling the delivery of housing and addressing any issues that arise as quickly as possible and in a proactive manner. There is evidence that a significant number of planning permissions for housing are due to expire shortly that have not yet been commenced. While planning permission is an essential step in any project, there are other factors that may impact on the commencement of a project, such as the availability of development finance, other economic factors such as market viability, infrastructure constraints, or phasing.”
“An implementation plan has been published that includes a commencement schedule for the Act and a range of initiatives to support training and engagement for the planning sector in preparation for the phased transition to the new legislative framework. While reforming our planning legislation is key, resourcing the planning system is being addressed in parallel. A ministerial action plan is being implemented, with five key theme areas to enhance the capacity of the local government system and An Coimisiún Pleanála as well as other key measures. Following approval of the revised NPF, which will facilitate the delivery of in excess of 50,000 additional new homes per annum, it is important to ensure the updated housing requirements are incorporated into the planning system as quickly as possible.”
“Separately, provisions to enable the identification of sites for urban development zones, UDZs, provide for an updated and more flexible approach to the planning and delivery of areas with significant potential for large-scale development and the associated necessary infrastructure, replacing the current provisions on strategic development zones, SDZs. Further key areas of the Act will be commenced over the remainder of this year, particularly Part 3 relating to the national planning framework, NPF, national planning statements and development plans. Behind the scenes, my Department is preparing new regulations to accompany the 2024 Act and working closely with local authorities and other key stakeholders.”
“This is why I am bringing this Bill forward today. Before I get into the details of the Bill, I would like to set out the work that has been done since the 2024 Bill was enacted. Given the scale of the 2024 Act, it is necessary to implement it on a phased basis to facilitate the transition from the arrangements under the current Act to those under the new Act. Two key areas of the Act have been commenced so far. First are the provisions to enable the establishment of An Coimisiún Pleanála, which introduced a comprehensive organisational restructuring that will result in a modernised planning body, fit for the 21st century and with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.”
“I am pleased to bring the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025 before the House. The main purpose of the Bill is to provide for targeted measures on a temporary basis to address unactivated permissions that are due to expire shortly, to ensure that the updated housing requirements in the revised national planning framework, NPF, can be incorporated into the planning system as quickly as possible, and to give clarity to the sector that this can be done under the Planning and Development Act 2000 while the Planning and Development Act of 2024 is being commenced. Members will recall the size of the Planning and Development Bill 2024, which was enacted last year. The implementation of this Act is a key priority for the Government because the planning system needs to remain agile and responsive to issues.”
“Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, is open for applications and students can check their eligibility on www.susi.ie . There is a rent tax credit of €1,000 that became available in 2025. Where relevant, a parent can claim the tax credit on behalf of his or her student child. There is also a programme for Government commitment to increase this credit. To briefly sum up, between the Ministers, Deputies Lawless and Browne, they are from an accommodation point of view bringing forward strategies that deliver apartments at scale and in an efficient way. That is a very important part of this. I urge students out there to avail of the €1,000 rent tax credit because what we are seeing from our figures is that quite a large number of students are not availing of that tax credit.”
“Officials from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science have been in discussions with those from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality over the return of student accommodation to market. This has resulted in more than 2,000 previously contracted student beds being released this year. Digs remain an alternative accommodation option. In 2023, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science published a voluntary regulatory framework and sample licence agreement for homeowners and students. A 2025 advertising campaign asking homeowners to rent rooms to students will commence in August. In terms of financial supports towards accommodation costs, the main financial support available to assist with the cost of college is the student grant scheme.”
“More than 3,000 of these are publicly owned. Of these, 924 publicly funded beds became available in UCD in 2021. Some 1,021 beds became available in 2023, that is, 674 in the University of Galway, 255 in University College Cork and nine in Trinity College Dublin, with the University of Limerick having acquired and opened 18 new students beds, and three in Mary Immaculate College. The first of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science's short-term activation projects at Maynooth University is on track for the 2025-26 academic year. The 116-bed project required €14.2 million in State funding. The Government also approved in principle €41 million for the DCU 405-bed project and €67 million for the UCD 493-bed project. Both projects are at the moment at tender phase.”
“The technological sector student accommodation programme is assessing higher education institution proposals for student accommodation projects on or near each of their main campus locations. Stage two of this programme is under way with the development and assessment of initial preliminary business cases. Shortlisted projects will be underpinned by robust supply-and-demand evidence, provide value for money to the State and provide sustainable, viable and affordable accommodation for students. Informed by these tools, a new student accommodation strategy will be published later this year. The strategy will address affordability and viability through funding, design and delivery of accommodation that is sustainable and regionally balanced. Almost 16,000 purpose-built student beds have been delivered since 2017.”
“It is fully intended to progress this commitment and other programme for Government commitments in a way that is equitable, funded and fair. It is important today to set out the work the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is doing to effectively address the challenges in respect of student accommodation. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, recently published a design guide for State-sponsored student accommodation. The guide reflects stakeholder feedback, ensuring that design standards are both practical and responsive to real world needs. It will support the efficient delivery of additional student accommodation that prioritises student well-being, provides long-term value for the State and embodies high-quality architectural design.”
“This is reflected in the current student support framework that operates across the tertiary education system. Improved supports for students' access and inclusion will be at the heart of everything we will do, breaking down barriers to ensure everyone is provided with opportunities to reach their potential. As we look to improve these supports, we must consider resources and where they are best deployed. We must recognise that the provision of further and higher education funding on an annual basis, including allocation towards student supports, are part of overall expenditure management and budgetary policy for Government. The programme for Government already sets out a commitment to reducing the student contribution in a financially sustainable manner over the lifetime of this Government.”
“I am happy to join with the Minister, Deputy Lawless, and the Minister of State, Deputy Harkin, to speak to this from a housing perspective because, obviously, that is another cost that is incurred by students. I want to outline what we will do in that regard. I thank all contributors to this evening's debate. The Government is very much aware of the costs that students and families may encounter when attending tertiary education. We are committed to easing the financial burden on students and their families by reducing the cost of education in a way that is sustainable, equitable and, indeed, targeted. I can assure the House that the Government is absolutely committed to fair and equal access to quality further and higher education.”
“We cannot let the potential for more housing slip away. With the support of the Houses, we hope to have the Bill enacted before the summer recess. We will seek to respond to any specific questions and engage further on Committee Stage. I commend the Bill to the House.”
“Changes to the internal layout will be allowed in line with the new guidelines and certain limited external modifications to align with the internal changes will also be permitted. Developers will need to inform the planning authority of the proposed changes, and provided that they are in line with what is set out in the amendment, the modified permission will be granted. This will be a timebound provision for two years only, to encourage the activation of existing permissions, rather than developers having to seek a new permission in such cases. As the new apartment guidelines were only published today, it has not been possible to have this amendment included in the published Bill, but we will table it in the Seanad next week. The Bill ensures that the potential that exists in the many permissions granted to date will be realised.”
“We will table a number of amendments in the Seanad, the majority of which deal with the transitional arrangements arising from moving from the 2000 Act to the 2024 Act. I will also table amendments relating to the new apartment guidelines, which were published today. Government is committed to ensuring that housing is delivered as quickly as possible and that we do everything we can to support developments that have planning permission. In this regard, certain modifications, in accordance with the provisions of the new apartment guidelines, to permissions for residential development that are granted on or after the date that the 2025 guidelines come into force, will be deemed to be permitted modifications. The permitted modifications will be very limited, with no change to the scale or mass of a development.”
“To encourage activation of housing development, the application for the extension must be made within six months of the commencement of the legislation and the development must commence within 18 months of the commencement of the legislation. In line with existing provisions, a further application for an extension of up to two years may be made once the development is substantially complete. An extension of duration may only be granted where an environmental impact assessment, EIA, or appropriate assessment, AA, would not be required with regard to the proposed extension. Section 17 is a technical amendment to ensure references in the Act of 2000 include references to similar terms in the Act of 2024 on commencement of Part 3. There is an apartment guidelines amendment, which I will bring Deputies through.”
“This section also amends section 303(4) of the Act of 2024 to clarify that the application of sections 50 and 50A of the Act of 2000 to decisions under the Act of 2024, ceases to have effect on the commencement of Chapter 1 of Part 9 of the Act of 2024. Section 15 is consequential to the amendment proposed in section 16 and updates cross-references to reflect the proposed new section 42(1A) of the Act of 2000. Part 3 amends the Planning and Development Act 2000, hereafter Act of 2000, and provides for the extension of duration of permissions. Section 16 amends the Act of 2000 to enable an extension of duration of up to three years to permissions for housing developments that have not yet commenced and have less than two years remaining on the duration of permission.”
“It provides that where a permission was or is subject to judicial review, the holder of the permission may seek a suspension of time for the period the judicial review was or is ongoing. Retrospective applications for suspension of duration may be made in respect of active permissions where a judicial review has concluded, provided that the person applying declares that development did not substantially commence, which excludes works for the maintenance, security or protection of the development site, while the judicial review was ongoing. Section 14 amends section 303(3) of the Act of 2024 to clarify that the application of section 50B of the Act of 2000 to decisions under the Act of 2024 ceases to have effect on the commencement of Chapter 2 of Part 9 of the Act of 2024.”
“Section 12 deals with local area plans and provides that when the making or amending of a local area plan is commenced under Act of 2000, before the commencement of Part 3 of the Act of 2024, it may continue under the Act of 2000 and that variations to existing local area plans that are continued in force under the Act of 2024, may be made subject to the provisions of the Act of 2024. It further provides that local area plans shall be regarded in decision-making processes under Act of 2024. Section 13 relates to judicial reviews. This section extends the pause of the duration of permission during judicial review proceedings to permissions granted under the Act of 2000 and subject to judicial review under the Act of 2000.”
“Section 10 is a transitional measure to provide for a development plan prepared under the Act of 2000 and continued in force under the Act of 2024 on the commencement of Part 3 to be regarded in decision-making processes under the Act of 2024. Section 11 provides that where the making of a development plan or a development plan variation has commenced under the Act of 2000 prior to the commencement of Part 3 of the Act of 2024, it may continue under the Act of 2000, notwithstanding its repeal, and it is to be regarded in decision-making processes under the Act of 2024.”
“Section 6 disapplies section 56 of the Act of 2024 for development plans made or varied under the Act of 2000 and continued in force under the Act of 2024. Sections 7 to 9, inclusive, are related. These are transitional measures to allow for the assessment of any variation to development plans made under the Act of 2000 and continued in force under section 68 of the Act of 2024, or any development plans made or varied in accordance with section 69 of that Act. This will allow variation of such plans to be assessed with respect to the variation only rather than the criteria in the Act of 2024. Sections 8 and 9 make consequential amendments to sections 64 and 65 of the Act of 2024 to update cross-references.”
“Section 3 is a transitional measure that provides for any guidelines, other than specific planning policy requirements, issued under the Act of 2000 and continued in force under the Act of 2024 on the commencement of Part 3 to be regarded in decision-making processes under the Act of 2024. Section 4 provides for a report to the relevant regional assembly setting out progress made with regard to the regional spatial and economic strategy. This ensures that local authority reports continue to be prepared one year in advance of a regional assembly report. Section 5 is a transitional measure to provide for a regional spatial and economic strategy made under the Act of 2000 and continued in force under the Act of 2024 on the commencement of Part 3 to be regarded in decision processes under the Act of 2024.”
“This is necessary to allow for the phased commencement of the Act of 2024. The Act already includes transitional amendments for a number of different processes reflecting the principle that any process commenced under the Act of 2000 continues under the Act of 2000, even if the relevant provisions in the Act of 2024 are commenced. I will now outline the main provisions of the Bill, which consists of three Parts. Part 1, that is sections 1 and 2, contains provisions of a general nature, including definitions. Part 2, which is sections 3 to 15, inclusive, amends the principal Act, which is the Planning and Development Act 2024, hereafter the Act of 2024.”
“To provide the necessary clarity and certainty, a number of transitional amendments will be made to the Act of 2024. These transitional provisions will provide that development plan variations commenced under the Act of 2000 can continue under that Act when the relevant provisions of the Act of 2024 are commenced, with a similar provision for the local area plans that have been commenced under the Act of 2000. The provisions will also ensure that prior to the commencement of the provisions in the Act of 2024 on development consents, that applications assessed under the Act of 2000 shall have regard to the national planning framework, ministerial guidelines, regional spatial and economic strategies, development plans and local area plans continued in force under Act of 2024.”
“In addition to the provisions the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, has outlined, the Bill also provides for amendments to the Act 2024 to clarify transitional arrangements as the planning system moves from operating under the 2000 Act to the new Act. The following approval of the revised national planning framework 2025, which will facilitate the delivery of in excess of 50,000 additional new homes per annum, there is an urgent need to ensure the updated housing requirements can be incorporated into the planning system as quickly as possible. Local authorities will be required to update their current development plans over the coming months. Local authorities need clarity that this can be done under the 2000 Act while the new Act is commenced.”
“Newcastle West being a significant town in Limerick surely should put it, in terms of prioritisation, quite near the top of that list because of the significant size of the town. I will work with the water directorate within my Department, the senior Ministers and Uisce Éireann to try to look at ways of bringing forward those timelines because it is too far out. Perhaps some of the consents, some of the permits or the statutory measures that they have to run and that can be done in parallel are not sequential. That might cut time as well.”