Dáil debates

Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

12:10 pm

Photo of Conor SheehanConor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 12, line 18, to delete “2 years” and substitute “1 year”.

These amendments relate to the Minister's proposals to enable an extension of three years for developments that have not yet commenced and have less than two years in the permission. I proposed these amendments because, while I believe a short extension may be necessary in extremely limited circumstances, it must be short and caveated to prevent land hoarding and speculation. We have huge problems with land hoarding and speculators sitting on planning permissions in this country while land increases in value. We believe a much tighter approach needs to be taken in terms of use or lose it. That is why we have moved these amendments to tighten the limit. I noticed before the vote that the Minister was talking about the residential zoned land tax. From our point of view, I welcome that is finally being collected, despite having been delayed until this year. The Minister said in his reply to Deputy Hearne that he believes the residential zoned land tax will deal with these issues and there is no need for a use it or lose it clause, but if the tax does not deal with this and we do not see the results of that over the coming period, will the Minister give us an idea if this is something he will look at revisiting?

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