Dr. Conor Norton:

The general position of the Irish Planning Institute, as we stated, is around the principle of subsidiarity.

The important point is that local decisions are best made locally. We have made our submissions, etc., on the basis of the recommendations made in Rebuilding Ireland, especially those relating to fast-tracking SHD. In essence, we have not supported them but at this point we are seeking to be pragmatic. It is now October 2019 and there is a proposal to extend the process for two years. From a planning point of view, two years is very short-term. We support it as an emergency measure but it is certainly not in line with our overall policy on the planning system.

Having said that, it is important to put some things into context. The Irish Planning Institute and other parties really need to look at the planning system, especially the balance between the national, regional and local levels. In recent times there has been considerable development at national level, and much of it has been positive. I have in mind the national planning framework, the developing of planning guidelines, as referred to earlier, the Office of the Planning Regulator and the Land Development Agency. Many of these developments are positive. We need to work with them and develop them. They will have a positive impact on the planning system.

On the other hand, we need to look at local level, as we mentioned earlier. Expanding the resources and capabilities of local government and local planning authorities to enable them to carry out their planning functions is critical. This means not only increasing the numbers of people in planning authorities but looking at the expertise that is there as well, especially in the context of the issues relating to delivery and development. As planners we need to be far more engaged with the idea of delivery. We need to see ourselves as partners in the development process as well, rather than leaving it at the planning permission stage, etc. We need to look at our planning system.

As was mentioned earlier, good development management decisions cannot be made if good plans are not in place. We need to put more emphasis on good local area plans and good development plans and so forth. Other possibilities need to be explored outside this context. SHD is really an issue within the planning system. We could look down the line at the role of the regional assemblies, the regional spatial and economic strategies and the strategic plans at that level and their role in this.