Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill, which I support. I commend Deputy Catherine Murphy for introducing it to the House for debate. It contains many practical measures that would bring about more transparency and consumer confidence in the planning and development system.

It is my understanding that the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, has indicated that she is not in opposition to the Bill. The Bill contains a number of welcome provisions such as the establishment of a national planning compliance register composed of information relating to planning enforcement notices issued by all planning authorities in the State; consistency of proposed developments with local area plans and their full compliance with same; the establishment of a centralised national schedule of agreed development contribution liabilities relating to specified classes of development; new proposals on the extension of planning permissions; new proposals on the application of bonds on housing estates and apartment complexes; new proposals on the taking in charge of estates; and the possibility for persons to appeal decisions of planning authorities to An Bord Pleanála relating to local authority’s "own development" proposals.

I also understand that the Minister of State has indicated a commitment to review the Planning and Development Act. In that regard, it is her intention to bring forward proposals for a new planning and development Bill in the first half of 2014, primarily for the purpose of implementing the recommendations of the Mahon tribunal, involving the establishment of a new office of the planning regulator. In association with that, it is also intended to undertake a broader review of certain provisions of the Planning and Development Act, including some of the matters raised in Deputy Catherine Murphy's Bill, with a view to appropriate updating and strengthening, particularly in the area of enforcement.

I further understand that the Minister proposes to use the opportunity of the forthcoming planning Bill review to bring forward a number of potential planning-related measures to support economic growth and job creation activity. That is welcome.

I concur with Deputy Paul Connaughton’s point that unfinished housing estates are a significant issue. That is the case in County Clare. Current statistics indicate that there are 63 unfinished housing developments in County Clare that all have varied and specific problems. A common trend is that residents' associations are frustrated with the lack of progress in regard to them. Lights do not work and there are problems with potholes and sewerage systems. Complete and utter frustration has been expressed to me by one residents' association after another. A proper regime is required to deal with the issue. Consistency is required for the taking in charge process. Residents’ associations should be central to the solution. That is one of the proposals in Deputy Catherine Murphy’s Bill and it is a welcome measure.

It is not fair that local authorities do not take housing developments in charge given that individuals who buy a house spend so much money investing in their property. That leads to frustration and anger. The lack of progress by local authorities adds to the anger. I would support any measure that could be introduced to speed up the process.

Deputy Paul Connaughton also referred to the extension of time for planning permissions. People who got planning permission and who through no fault of their own were not in a position to develop the site to build a house, possibly due to the financial crisis, should be allowed to get an extension of time to build their house. I welcome that aspect of the Bill.

There is a ghost estate on the outskirts of the village of Clarecastle in County Clare. The only new addition is the hoarding around it which protects one from looking in. There is a mass of concrete behind the hoarding. Pools of water litter the site. Concrete has been poured into foundations and some houses are half built. The development would not have worked even in the good times. It was bad planning from day one that planning permission was granted on the site. The only solution is for what has been built to be knocked down. I welcome the proposals introduced by the Minister to deal with the issue. The estate takes significantly from the appearance of the village of Clarecastle. The issue must be sorted out. The local community development group should be central to finding a solution. People should have a say on how the site is restored to a greenfield site and possibly used by the community. Currently, the estate is in private ownership and is in the care of a receiver. No matter what is done with the site it will never be occupied. Powers should be given to local authorities in such instances to compel the receiver in question to make safe and knock such developments and restore them to a greenfield site in the interests of local communities.

I support the Bill. It is very practical and I look forward to its progression through the Houses of the Oireachtas.

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