Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Minister but he has the opportunity to make sure it happens sooner rather than later. This is relevant because of the opportunities we might have following Brexit but also, and more important, because of the crisis in housing provision and the lack of adequate units in the city to enable city living. He says a cost-effectiveness review by his Department will report in early summer but he, or whoever holds the esteemed office at that time, should provide the necessary amendments to national planning guidelines to ensure this is done, rather than engaging eternally with local authorities on the issue.

4 o’clock

I implore the Minister to use his office and, if necessary, to seek assistance from Members in order to bring forward legislation to provide for planning guidelines which would supersede those that apply to local authorities. I am not recommending that this happen in the suburbs but, as the Minister said, in the centre of cities such as Dublin, Cork and so on.

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