Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 23 February 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government

General Scheme of the Planning and Development Bill 2022: Discussion (Resumed)

Photo of Victor BoyhanVictor Boyhan (Independent)
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I will ask about one other issue. I really like the idea of the city or county planner with statutory functions and powers. We know about the structure of local government with regard to the chief executive, formerly the county manager. I have spoken to conservation officers in different authorities who felt somewhat compromised, due to pressure from the management structure above them, when providing reasons in favour of or objecting to demolition of, or interference with, a protected structure. I have heard other planners say they are under pressure to deliver the roll-out of commercial activity. They have a rates base to look after. There are many issues. We used to have city and county architects. I think we still do in most cases. Some are contracted out. There is a strong case for the city or county planner. The representatives have made that case in their submission. Will they tease out the experience of that in other jurisdictions? How strong do they intend it to be? Are they are talking about someone with clearly defined, executive, stand-alone functions within the structure?