Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My thanks to the local government representatives for coming in today. I appreciate that it was reasonably short notice. I very much appreciate that they have come in and I read the submission with great interest. There are some things I wish to give the witnesses the opportunity to elaborate on. I heard Councillor Sheahan say that local authorities have worked well with the LDA. Certainly, the LDA would speak highly of its interactions with the local authorities thus far. I would like some examples or elaboration on that.

Reference was made to the requirement that the LDA have full regard of development plans. That is an essential requirement in the same way that there is an imperative upon An Bord Pleanála to do likewise. However, we see instances with An Bord Pleanála where that does not work out in the way the legislation provided for it. I would like the local authority representatives to elaborate on that and on how they will ensure that is written in.

We have introduced and read in detail the circular on the housing needs demand assessment and how it will feed in to the development plan, housing strategies, core strategies and population projections. One good consequence of this is that the development plan is highly informed. It is important that the LDA takes cognisance of that. I would like the local authority representatives to elaborate on that. Councillor Hoade suggested in her submission that the local authority should be responsible for setting the appropriate percentage of land for affordable housing. How does she see that working?