Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I commend Deputy Catherine Murphy on drafting the legislation and presenting it to the Dáil last night and tonight. It is well thought out and demonstrates an in-depth knowledge and practical experience of planning issues. The Deputy has gained that experience over a life of service to communities in the Kildare area, including dealings with planning authorities, community and residents' associations and individuals.

It is important to stress the name of the Bill, which gives a clear indication of its purpose. It is the Planning and Development (Transparency and Consumer Confidence) Bill, and the phrases "transparency" and "consumer confidence" are absolutely essentially in the ethos and culture of the Bill presented by Deputy Murphy. As a result, the Bill is an attempt to give back control over their areas to communities and individuals. It is welcome that the Government will not oppose the Bill and I hope that with future legislation, it will take on board and implement the various provisions in this legislation. This is a common cause right across the House, as we have seen over the past two nights, and the ideas in the Bill are essential for a transparent planning process in future.

A matter we need to deal with now, which we should have dealt with years ago, is the price of building land. If we had dealt with this, we would not have had the scandals that arose or young couples paying huge prices for houses. These couples are now in negative equity and have distressed mortgages.

Back in the 1970s, when I was a young clerical officer in South Tipperary County Council, the Kenny report on the price and value of building land was published. It was widely accepted and recommended but never implemented. Unfortunately, this means we have had to endure the debacle in the construction sector in recent years. At this juncture, the Government should deal with the price of building land and use the formula from the Kenny report, namely, that the value be the use value of the land. This is essential if planning and development are to be dealt with properly over the coming years.

The provision of community infrastructure prior to the commencement of development is a very important element in the control of planning. It should be part of the general planning culture and ethos and it is vital. In the past, houses were built without community facilities, halls or crèches. Various infrastructural developments - not only roads, sewers and water services but also community facilities - should be put in place prior to the building of estates.

A series of other issues are dealt with in this legislation, and they have been mentioned by previous speakers. These include the national planning compliance register, which is vital. Daily in our constituencies we come across the question of the taking in charge of estates. The provisions of the Bill in this regard are excellent and should be introduced as quickly as possible. A related matter is the question of bonds and the availability of bonds to complete unfinished estates. Right across the country people have been living in uncompleted estates, sometimes for up to 16 or 17 years. They now find themselves unable to sell their houses if they want to do so, as the proper title cannot be given. I commend Deputy Catherine Murphy on introducing the Bill and hope the Government will genuinely take its provisions on board and implement them as soon as possible.

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