John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)

The zoning of land is an exercise undertaken by planning authorities as part of their development plan process. The making of a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members of each planning authority who are required by legislation to be consistent with the established statutory national and regional planning policy and legislation, including, as identified in the national planning framework, regional spatial and economic strategies and ministerial planning guidelines. Development plans have to set out planning policies and objectives to provide for proper planning and sustainable development in their area over the six-year lifespan of the plan. We are moving to ten-year development plans. They must also include mandatory objectives for regeneration. It is up to local authorities to decide the quantum and location of zoned land, for whatever purpose. In the context of the guidance I referred to earlier that the Department will issue regarding the housing growth requirements, it will be a requirement for every local authority to vary their development plans. It will be a matter for the members in terms of the quantum and the exact location.

See this speech in context