Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand how difficult it is to break the logjam and to get houses delivered. There is also a need for the public to have a transparent system. In Tipperary it is very difficult to get a preplanning meeting. The system has tightened and tightened and tightened and the role of the public representative has been completely diminished. It is not that they wanted to interfere but they were a conduit for the public. They are, after all, public representatives and they used to tease out the issues over public consultations and give advice. Our county has now decided to stop on-site planning meetings involving public representatives and a client for one-off houses, which have an important role to play in dealing with the housing crisis, though we are not dealing with them today.

We have to do something but there is a number of housing estates in Tipperary which are bombsites. They have just been left there, with people living in darkness and in dangerous conditions. Planning was applied for and given but there has been no enforcement and planners say they can do nothing about it.

It is hell on earth for people. They are facing the winter with no lights or footpaths, and there are holes and dangerous objects. They are living in fear, especially with no lighting. While this matter must be dealt with, I just wonder whether local authorities have the will and way to deal with it.

Reference has been made to the charges. The excessive charges are a cash cow for county councils. They must be examined. They might have been okay in the boom, if they were ever okay. For a private individual or builder building a house, the costs associated with charges, VAT and fees are nearly half the cost of the building. We cannot address the matter without considering this. I realise the Department is doing its best but a lot of soul searching must be done because we have failed miserably. I am talking about my county, a rural county. If we are to fast-track planning, will we have worse circumstances and outcomes, with the public having no say?

EirGrid was mentioned. We have seen officials of An Bord Pleanála ending up in EirGrid. Communities distrust An Bord Pleanála as a result of those issues and others.