Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are all aware Covid has had an impact on every part of our lives and the issue of planning is no exception. Throughout the pandemic we have seen a delay in construction. At a time when our housing crisis is reaching peak levels, this delay has made an already terrible situation as far as housing availability is concerned even worse. Covid has definitely shone a light on the shortcomings of our housing system. Lessons must be learned from this. This Government must learn fine words are not enough. Making grand promises on housing provision when the record of this Government does not back up those promises is disingenuous at best. Despite this we see this Government take the issue of housing as something to play games with the Opposition about. I say this because this is a significant piece of legislation. It is important legislation that deserves more time for consideration and more time for public debate. While time is of the essence, the Government had the chance to introduce this Bill earlier but chose instead to rush it through.

I must acknowledge that Covid has presented us with a situation in which the needs of people have been impacted by either delays or cancellations. That is why extensions to existing planning permissions is a measure that is needed. However, this must be done carefully. Sinn Féin proposed amendments that would prevent the possibility of planning hoarding by some who may seek to take advantage of these measures. Covid has changed the way we work, communicate and conduct domestic and business affairs. Aspects of those changes may stay with us. This is where extensions to county development plans may be needed by certain local authorities to deal with the new and emerging situation. Tipperary County Council is a case in point. There is a general feeling among members of the council that more time is needed to deal with the needs of people whose way of life and way of doing business will be left out of the plan. Working from home is a matter people particularly want reflected in the development plan for County Tipperary. The world has changed and we must change with it. Sinn Féin went to pains in the Seanad and in amendments to point out that when extensions of this nature are being given we must recognise the potential impacts with other county development plans, the national planning framework, regional guidelines and spatial strategies. That is why Sinn Féin queried the basis of the date up until which the provisions on extending existing county development plans would have effect. We also submitted amendments to ensure the extensions comply with climate change demands, so while I welcome more time being made available to get the county development plan process right, it would have been more appropriate to give Members of this House more time to debate the finer points.

I also point out we continue to have an underfunded local authority system. We have housing lists that shame the political system here. We have estates like Rocksprings in Kilross, County Tipperary, which Tipperary County Council cannot take in charge because the national agreement between Irish Water and the local authorities does not allow the council to do so. Tipperary County Council applied to the Department for funding to resolve the issue but its bid was unsuccessful. These are just some of the many issues that must be addressed. They are issues which remain and which are consistently not being resolved. We will support this Bill but the Government really needs to be more open about its intention towards legislation such as this. Leaving it so late and expecting it to be rushed through unquestioned is not the right approach to take.

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