Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing this Topical Issue. I am disappointed that the Minister for housing, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is not present. I wish the Ceann Comhairle, the staff, the gardaí and everyone else a happy, holy and safe Cásca, or Easter. It is very important that we reflect during the time of Holy Week, Easter Sunday and the risen Lord.

I am raising the urgent need for an emergency ministerial order, a statutory instrument, pausing planning enforcement proceedings on log cabins where continuing with such proceedings will cause further homelessness. This can be done. The Minister for housing signed a similar statutory instrument exempting certain developments from planning permission for housing Ukrainian refugees. We need a similar measure for homeless Irish citizens. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, signed the European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons From Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022, SI 306/2022. The regulation, which came into effect on 23 June 2022, provides that certain classes of temporary development, including residential accommodation, undertaken by or on behalf of the State authority to provide protection to displaced persons from Ukraine will be exempt from the housing and planning and development Acts other than for environmental considerations. The specified development classes will not require planning permission for the period that the regulations are in place and will not be subject to the various restrictions that would normally apply to classes of exempted development.

In welcoming the publication at that time, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, stated that his Department had committed to working with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide urgently needed shelter and support to Ukrainian refugees. These guidelines will fast-track the development of temporary accommodation, including modular units, by or on behalf of the State authorities by removing the requirement to seek planning permission, where appropriate.

I am currently dealing with case of Sean Meehan, from Woodinstown, Cahir, a proud 66-year-old Irishman from a republican family, a good, decent, republican man who fell into difficulties in his marriage. I have permission to mention his name. He had a separation and was legally divorced. He bought a plot of land and put a mobile home on it. He carefully crafted a lovely wood exterior and also insulated it, so it is very warm and comfortable for him, his cat and his dog. Lo and behold, he is before the courts and threatened-----

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