Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My question relates to legislation on the fast-track housing scheme. A leading contributor to the research in this area, who is an architect and public commentator, has told researchers that from a development perspective, the scheme essentially allows one to circumvent the development plan on the basis that if one can go directly to the board, one can apply for material contravention by the back door. It also means that development plans are a bit of a waste of time because with all of the preparation, the public consultation debate, input from local councillors one is not bound to it. This is a very serious insight into how the scheme has worked out. I am saying that it needs to be changed legislatively. Local area development plans, county development plans and city development plans must be respected and given legislative underpinning. In the context of the review that is under way, will the Government agree to legislate for the underpinning of county and city development plans?

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