Dáil debates

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

5:40 pm

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to voice my support for the amendment proposed by Deputy Wallace. We must acknowledge that the Government, in its efforts to address obvious deficiencies in our building standards has somewhat curtailed the flow of units onto the market. I ask that the Minister of State would respond positively to the suggestions and proposals being put to him. I am not suggesting that they be taken on board exactly as proposed but there is much merit in what has been said with regard to the size of units, particularly in the context of suiting various family forms and household types.

In the context of its efforts to fast-track housing developments and make them available to the market as soon as possible, it is incumbent on the Government to ensure that the Minister retains absolute control and power over the building standards. Those standards are extensively debated, scrutinised and analysed by local authorities and members of the public through the consultation process that follows the initial publication of any development plan. There is much merit in that system and its virtues should not be lost through any proposals that emanate from this legislation. In that context, I ask the Minister of State to take on board the suggestions that have been put to him and to acknowledge the good intent of the proposer and those members of the Opposition who are supportive of them. I would ask that he consider making alterations which would address the deficiencies, whether minor or major. It is incumbent on the Minister of State to investigate these matters, to make further proposals and to accept those amendments which were proposed in good faith and are based on the experience of people who have observed the process as it evolved over time.

In the course of development plans, councillors and Deputies alike have seen this process in train and they have seen the deficiencies as well as the merit involved. There are standards that need to be addressed but these proposals definitely take cognisance of the form of family units these days. Developments of apartments, in particular, should have standards in regard to the square footage applied and the number of units in the make-up of the various units within any complex in order to take cognisance of today's forms of living. As Deputy Wallace said, there are many single people, and people who find themselves divorced or separated, who may have their children with them on a regular basis and need ample space within these complexes in order to live there in a proper manner.

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