Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)

I disagree with the Minister's assertion that the new provision strikes a balance. It is my contention that it does not do so. As I am sure is the case for other Deputies who represent a rural constituency and are involved in interactions relating to one-off rural housing applications, I have evidence to support my argument. I have dealt with approximately 20 applications for one-off rural housing developments since the legislation was introduced and planning extensions were denied in all but one instance. There is an inherent hypocrisy in the legislation which, I accept, was introduced by the previous Government. I voted in favour of it at the time but I would like to see it changed now. There is a need for a practical and reasonable approach in respect of this matter.

If a person's original planning permission has a year to run, he or she can build a house and live in it for as long as he or she desires. If, however, he or she cannot built it within the first five years and applies to roll the permission over into the following five years, he or she will be refused. That is a contradiction in terms. We are all aware that it is difficult to obtain planning permission. Regardless of how it is dressed up, the policy does not favour one-off rural housing developments. Everyone knows this to be the case and we may have participated in the development of the system through the creation of local area plans. Planning permission extensions were designed, in view of the prevailing economic circumstances, to give people an opportunity to proceed with their developments at some point. In addition, an appeal system was supposed to be put in place but provision in respect of it was not included in the legislation. We should re-examine this matter. If a person has planning permission, he or she should, regardless of the environmental standards that apply, be allowed to extend it, particularly in light of current financial circumstances.

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