Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I thank all of the representatives from all four groups who are before us this morning. It is great that there is such broad representation. We have had the construction sector, the planning sector, residents groups and the chief executives of local authorities before us. Each of them has brought a different lens to this legislation, but there is a huge amount of common ground too. It is common ground that they share with most of us politicians as well. The main themes I am hearing are frustration with the SHD process and concerns about resources in local authorities' planning departments and whether the latter are fit for purpose in the context of this new legislation. The committee met on Tuesday last to discuss this topic and those were the big themes that came from that meeting as well, from both guest speakers and members.

I was previously a member of South Dublin County Council. I saw first-hand the resourcing issues that are there when it comes to planning in the context of enforcement and applications. It is such a huge area, and putting additional responsibilities and tighter deadlines on staff without increasing resources will not work for anybody.

I would like to ask the CCMA a hypothetical question. If the local authorities were to get a budget for additional resources - which we all hope they do - be it for certain local authorities or right across the board, how quickly does it think the local authorities could ramp up planning teams. The CCMA representatives also queried the commercial use change. I would like to understand better what they mean when they use the term "non-residential". Are they talking about community use or is it wider than that?

I am please that the IPI had the opportunity to shape this legislation. I note that it also has concerns from a staffing perspective.

I note the CIF's comments on viability, a matter that Mr. Benson mentioned in his opening statement. I would be interested to hear how he feels viability could be incorporated into development plans.

I thank the Dublin Democratic Planning Alliance for sharing its perspective on this. I was delighted to meet its representatives recently and to hear their views on the planning system. I agree that SHDs were a temporary measure that were brought in to help alleviate the housing crisis. It is a crisis we are very much still in the midst of. We need something to replace SHDs. We need to build housing quickly, safely and efficiently. The planning authorities are best placed to make decisions in relation to planning applications. I am pleased that that will be the essence of this proposed Bill.

In summary, my questions for the CCMA are on the resourcing element and the non-commercial or non-residential aspect. Will the representatives from the CIF comment on viability and how that could potentially be incorporated into development plans.