Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let me start by just outlining again the key aim of the Bill, which is to introduce more consistency, clarity and certainty to the planning system. That is core to what we are actually doing here and what we have done over the past six months. The Bill is looking to the future; it is certainly not dealing with the past. Within that, it is really important that we have consistency across all tiers of planning, be it at national, regional or local level. It is important that we have an integrated planning system fit for all, one where the process of agreement on a national planning policy statement is central and includes the necessary stakeholder engagement, environmental assessments and the agreement of the Government. It is important that the local, regional and national issues are addressed.

With regard to the current system, back in 2023 more than 41,995 planning permissions were granted. That included more than 5,000 one-off housing applications. I put it to the Rural Independents and those in opposition to a system they feel is not fit for purpose, that it is working. We have more people living and working in rural Ireland than ever before. We have the roll-out of the national broadband plan that is supporting people in rural areas. We have the Department of Rural and Community Development, which is providing millions of euro around rural regeneration and community development. This is essential to ensure we have vibrancy in rural areas.

Section 46(3) of the Bill deals with the requirement for a development plan to identify population and housing growth targeted for countryside that is outside settlements. We are factoring in issues around rural areas and ensuring that we have development plans that support planning within these development plans. Many Deputies have voiced their concerns about the national planning statements but they will undergo public consultation. As determined by Government we will have brought forward a report which the Minister will review following the consultation. It will be informed by the sectoral policy and by other Ministers with regard to environment and transport where necessary. It is intended to ensure that policy coherence is at the heart of this. It also will provide clarity to inform development plans and ultimately planning decisions. It is very important to underline what national planning statements will involve.

I will address some of the amendments first and then I will speak to the Government amendments in the context of what was discussed. Amendments Nos. 195, 196, 200, 202 and 225, tabled by Deputy Ó Broin, deal with the same substantial issue of whether the policy of the planning system should be agreed by the Government or passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas. As previously discussed by the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, we cannot accept these amendments as they represent a deterioration of what is already comprehensively provided for within the Bill. As was said previously on similar amendments relating to the national planning framework, it is appropriate and right that the Government has responsibility for setting and agreeing Government policy required for planning and other matters. The Deputy has outlined that it will present more conflict. That certainly is not the intention nor will it be the case. It is widely acknowledged that planning is a discipline that affects almost every facet of daily life. It is critical to the well-being of our citizens so it is important that our national planning statements are a key mechanism introduced in the Bill to improve consistency with the tier of planning, as I have previously outlined.

The Bill will also provide for other tiers of regional or local planning and a review of these plans will be conducted for alignment with national policy. The proposed amendments seek to add a further level of Oireachtas approval but are unclear as to how they will be reconciled with the extensive assessment and consultation already provided for within the Bill or within the wider programme for Government. Therefore, we oppose these amendments.

On amendments Nos. 197, 198 and 199, while the Government supports the use of the Irish language, procedures and obligations for Irish translation and communication are already provided for within the Official Languages Act. Great strides have been made recently in respect of public advertising in Irish, which is to be commended. Once the Bill is enacted we will ensure it is publicly available in Irish. Due to the already technical nature of the planning language, it would be unfair to non-Irish speakers seeking to navigate the document to publish these titles solely in the Irish language.

With regard to amendments Nos. 203 and 204, section 25(4) already states that the national planning statements shall take effect on the date of such publication unless otherwise stated in specifics. Although it is likely to be rare, on occasion there may be valid and practical reasons such as giving an appropriate lead-in time for the changes contained.

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