Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Okay. I hope we will be able to move that in his absence.

Amendment No. 81 again addresses section 208 of the principal Act relating to public right of way and proposes to delete the phrase "in force on the commencement of this section" in subsection (1) of section 208 of the principal Act. This wording was intended to address any transitional issues following the commencement of the 2000 Act and I do not see the need for the amendment. Accordingly, for the moment at least, I am opposing it.

Amendment No. 96 relates to the definition of the term "strategic housing development" in section 3 of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act. Deputy Ó Broin's amendment proposes that additional text be inserted in the second criteria of the definition of the effect that the development shall be on residential zoned land or on a mixture of residential or other uses where the quantum of houses or accommodation units is not fewer than 100 units. This is already clear from the existing definition and, accordingly, I oppose the amendment on the grounds that the proposed additional wording is not necessary.

With regard to amendment No. 98, section 28(2) of the 2006 Act amends section 42 of the principal Act to provide that a second extension of duration of permission may be granted by a planning authority in the case of a housing development comprising 20 houses or more where the authority considers that a further extension is necessary to enable the development to be completed. This removes the requirement to go through the planning process again and aims to expedite the completion of the housing developments in question. It is a temporary provision which, when commenced, will limit any such extension to no later than 31 December 2021, the end of the Rebuilding Ireland policy timeframe. Amendment No. 98 tabled by Deputy Ó Broin proposes to remove this provision entirely, as the sole purpose of section 28(2) is to provide, albeit on a temporary basis, for a second extension of permission for housing developments to support and expedite the completion of much needed housing. I oppose this amendment.