Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this important motion and on the Government's continuing failure to legislate on the recommendations of the Mahon tribunal report, which was published in 2012.

This is an absolute disgrace, as we were promised reform and a democratic revolution. Once again, the Government sits on its hands. What is going on? There was a promise of an independent regulator, but the Planning Bill does not allow for the establishment of such an office. This is totally unacceptable. The Government seems to have not yet learned its lessons on regard to this issue. Is this another broken promise? The issue of conflicts of interest arises again, yet we have no independent assessments.

Proper and clear planning should be a priority in any democratic state or society. I fully support the call for the establishment of an office of planning regulator, with the appointment of a planning regulator to be made following an open, public competition conducted by an independent appointments board. The recommendations of the new planning regulator should then be made binding on the Minister. This is a reasonable and sensible proposal. Above all, it sends out the right message in regard to future planning projects. The significant public concerns that exist must be dealt with. It is time for the Government to get off the pot and accept fair and reasonable proposals.

Planning, development and the construction of houses and homes are hugely important in the context of this debate. Recently, the CSO figures on housing and poverty in this country indicated that just over half of the country's net household wealth, 53.8%, rests in the hands of just 10% of the population. The last four budgets have helped the better off and have helped create a more unhealthy and unequal society. I mention these figures in the context of the need to act to create a more equal society, which should be a core principle on which we agree. I urge all Deputies to support this excellent motion. It is about quality planning, accountability and transparency and above all it is about the future of this country.

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