Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have raised the issue of local needs guidelines numerous times. Since 2005, our local authorities have been using the same guidelines. In 2016, the Government informed the EU that it would be reviewing the local needs situation. On 22 January, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, stated that this had to do with the Flemish decree, his Department was working on the matter and a working group had held a meeting the prior week. He said that he would revert to me with an update on local needs. People in villages and rural areas cannot build on their own lands. This situation has been going on for two or three years. Will it come to an end at some stage?

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