Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact we will have the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in for a 90-minute discussion on Housing for All. While that is welcome, it is perhaps not enough, but ultimately that is a matter for the Members when they accept the Order of Business. Given the pressures on the Minister and the lateness of the day, I do not purpose to pursue the matter. I ask that we bear in mind that today's focus is on Housing for All.

I wish to raise the issue of planning and An Bord Pleanála. We still do not know when the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2023 on reform, that has been debated throughout this country for the past two or three years, will be scheduled. We do not know in which House this Bill will be initiated. I call for the opportunity that the Minister might consider initiating this legislation in the Seanad but that ultimately is a matter for Government. What disappoints me, and what I have been asked to raise here today by many developers, builders, architects, planners, and local authorities, is the fact that thousand and thousands of homes are stuck in a planning process in An Bord Pleanála on Marlborough Street, and nobody wants to do anything about it. Banks are pulling finances from developers who want to build houses. I went to a scheme in Mountrath in County Laois the other day and I went to another scheme in Newbridge. I am meeting developers, planners, and architects who have schemes ready to go. All they are asking is for An Bord Pleanála to tell them whether they are getting permission. They are not trying to influence the outcome, but by golly, banks are pulling the money out from under them and saying they are not going to go ahead. We want certainty about how we can build an economy, homes, communities, and give people accommodation but also give hope to risk takers and business people who have something to offer in a country that needs these houses. I ask for a very focused debate on when we will get this reform of An Bord Pleanála. We cannot wait any longer for the legislation. We have to go ahead and empower An Bord Pleanála, give it more resources, get its decisions through the House, and have it working seven days a week.Builders and financiers cannot be left in the lurch when we have a housing crisis.