Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 13 December 2016

Select Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016: Committee Stage

2:10 pm

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important debate. I have serious problems, not with this legislation, but with some of the planning decisions made in my area. In the Meath County Council area just outside Drogheda, the councillors made appalling planning decisions, overruled development plans - the whole damn lot - and left a community without proper services. I am sure the Minister of State is aware of that.

I am very concerned about the variations in approach to planning in some local authorities. As specific identified people in An Bord Pleanála deal with the planning applications from particular counties, they have the knowledge of the development plan. The problem is where councillors have run a coach and four through the development plan, leaving housing with no amenities, infrastructure, connectivity, proper footpaths, shops etc. That is the problem I see.

I do not have a problem with what is proposed, but we need to be very clear that there can and will be cases where development plans will be overruled by councillors. I am worried about that because what I have seen is appalling and a shame and needs investigation at a national level. Unfortunately it happened in an area that I did not represent until recently. I am concerned that in this rush things might happen that should never happen. The oversight of An Bord Pleanála is a good thing because it will take a more objective view of some of these issues. I would be concerned about that issue, which is serious.

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