Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

The planning review announced last year by the former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, was intended to assess the application of planning legislation, policy and guidance within the development plan and development management systems at local level and to inform further policy development in these areas. A number of planning authorities, representing a broad geographical spread of urban and rural areas as well as large and small authorities, had been selected to assist in the review of policies and practices by reference to several cases raised with my Department.

The programme for Government includes, inter alia , specific commitments to co-ordinate national, regional and local planning laws to achieve better and more co-ordinated development which supports local communities, to develop a coherent plan to deal with the issue of unfinished estates, and to ensure there is adequate access and participation by citizens and public representatives in decision-making and policy formation. The resources of my Department will be directed primarily towards supporting the implementation of the Government's commitments in these areas. I understand the concerns of some of the public regarding some actions taken by individual local authorities. At present I am reviewing in detail a number of specific complaints, following the initiation of the process by the former Minister, Mr. John Gormley.

When this review is completed, I will issue a public statement outlining the complaints at issue, my response and any appropriate actions to be pursued in regard to further policy development and guidance, in line with commitments in the programme for Government.

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