Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his questions.

While An Bord Pleanála falls under my Department, its judgments are independent of me. I cannot get involved in its judgments or decisions. I do not agree with the Deputy's interpretation of Project Ireland 2040 and the national planning framework. Further iterations of the regional spatial and economic strategies have been agreed. It is a matter of how they will be implemented in development plans. Every local authority must be in line with them. What we will see in this regard are the opportunities the national planning framework is providing for housing.

Deputy O'Donoghue is absolutely right about the balance in terms of conservation. We are only getting in our own way if we are not allowing ourselves to buy, restore or rebuild homes because it might then have too much of a negative impact. If the choice is between letting it fall apart or getting someone back into it with some alterations, we should get them back in. That is so important for our streetscapes and for the older parts of towns, villages and cities.

In terms of houses being built now, we were able to find a measure in the emergency Acts where we could get some social housing sites open because they were going to provide accommodation directly for people coming off the housing list, out of overcrowded housing or out of emergency accommodation. My choice was basically no housing sites open or some, and so I went for some. I would have liked it to have been all, but that was not possible. That is what 18 May is about, including for people who are doing self-builds. I am sorry that is the case because the points the Deputy makes are absolutely correct. If one is doing a self-build one would think one would be able to manage the site in a socially responsible way in terms of the health measures. We will have guidance for every site and sites that do open must open in accordance with the guidance that is in place if they are to be able to operate safely. I think that is very important. I think they were the main questions Deputy O'Donoghue asked.

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