John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise an important issue that has been brought to my attention in my new role as Fine Gael spokesperson on housing, heritage and local government. It relates to the exemption from planning permission that was introduced in February 2018 by the then Minister of State at the Department Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy English, where there is a proposed change of views for certain classes of commercial buildings to residential status. The aim of the exemption was to bring much needed housing units in towns, cities and villages back into use where they were previously vacant and underutilised spaces.In Waterford city, 16 such units have already been delivered via this planning exemption. However, public houses are omitted from the class of commercial buildings that are exempted, and that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. While I understand that some local authorities are applying a liberal approach to planning in this regard, an issue will arise down the line if and when the owner of such a property wishes to sell it.

All of us have examples of vacant properties, and vacant pubs in particular, across towns, villages and even cities that will never again be used for their original purpose. In Waterford, 30 such units - restaurants and pubs - have already been used under the repair and lease scheme for that purpose, but we have to address the issue of the vacant pubs because they will not be used for that purpose again.

I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to the House to have a discussion on this issue. It is illogical that a shop on one corner of a street in a town or a village can be brought back into habitable use for residential purpose without the need for planning permission whereas the pub on the other corner cannot.