Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Many years ago tribunals were put in place by the State to root out many malpractices associated with land zoning and consequently planning. Thankfully, new procedures, obligations and processes were put in place, many overseen by the likes of SIPO. I know that is up for review based on recent events, notwithstanding many other events also. The Dáil will take up that challenge in the coming weeks and months.

Planning is supposedly consistent with national and regional guidelines and associated with relevant construction standards, best engineering practices, environmental considerations, health and safety and other such considerations. All that is carried out by local authorities under a statutory time period. If and when those decisions are subsequently challenged, as is the democratic right of an appellant, the onus of responsibility to ensure professional competence falls to An Bord Pleanála. It appears from this report that there are breaches in rules and regulations which guide the decision-making process. If that is the case or is proven to be the case, we have a big problem. That is notwithstanding the point made previously which I have made myself in this Chamber when I brought forward proposed legislation and Bills to deal with ensuring An Bord Pleanála has a statutory time period to make a decision. That should of course be the case and I look forward to the planning and development legislation, referred to by the previous speaker, that the Government will bring forward for reform in the coming months. I am sure it will have recommendations in that regard.

At the time of those tribunals, the probity and competence of planning and the public's trust in it were at crisis point. That would appear to be the case again, at a time of crisis in the housing sector when we need those systems to stand tall without fear or favour. Applications have been delayed by deliberations by An Bord Pleanála and thereafter by a judicial review process which further jeopardises the potential investment that may be forthcoming in order ensure these developments take place. This is a crisis at a time of emergency in respect of housing. I urge and beg the Government to insist on bringing forward real, meaningful changes that help ensure the democratic planning process is one we can all stand over. It is quite obvious that many in this Chamber do not stand over this process at present. That is a far cry from the commitments we got following those tribunals. We do not want to enter that period again or a similar one. I beg the Government not only to entrust the Attorney General to bring forward his proposals, but to direct the Attorney General and prescribe the sort of changes that are necessary to address these issues and others that have been raised by many Members over the course of the last years.

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