Results 20,321-20,340 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Amendment No. 723 is a consequential amendment to amendment No. 595

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Where an application has been lodged with and validated by either a planning authority or the commission, the deciding authority must have regard to the policy or plans that were in effect on the date that the application was made. I intend bringing forward an amendment to this effect on Report Stage. Amendment No. 723 from Deputy McAuliffe is consequential to that amendment.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I have responded.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The amendment states: "after “applies” to insert “(and, with respect to an application to extend the duration of a permission under section 135, that applied)”.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The substantive point is that section 83 states that when making its decision in relation to an application under this section, the planning authority or the commission shall be restricted to considering the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and it "shall have regard" to that.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Bhíomar ag plé an tseachtain seo caite, ar feadh tréimhse fada an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo. We debated this matter at length last week. I will reiterate a couple of commitments on this for the committee. I discussed these with Gaeltacht communities on Monday of this week, when I met them in Galway. I have given a commitment that priority area plans will be...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I should have mentioned the other piece. I gave a commitment to members last week on the consultation. To be clear, we will be looking at Údarás na Gaeltachta and Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga as well when we come back on that consultation. On the language planning amendment, one would have to clearly define the concept of language planning. "Language planning" is the...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It is the development plan-----

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: If the Deputy wanted to be specific, he would be writing in specific changes in the primary legislation to deal with issues that are perhaps unique to one Gaeltacht area versus another.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It was defined in the 2012 Act but not in the amendment. The Deputy made reference to the 2012 Act.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand the points that have been made. On page 85 of the NPF the whole section on the Gaeltacht and the Irish language deals with language plans and Gaeltacht areas, language planning areas, Gaeltacht service towns and Irish language networks. It is there and it is legislated for under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, which Deputy O'Callaghan did note last week, so I was not saying that he did...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: As I mentioned previously, the planning system in Ireland recognises the importance of the continued daily use of the Irish language, especially in Gaeltacht areas. We have gone through that with an interdepartmental group working on it. The Gaeltacht planning guidelines will be very important to make sure this is implemented also. As I said to Deputy Ó Snodaigh earlier on, we will...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputies O'Callaghan and Ó Snodaigh. What they have referred to concerning these amendments is provided for in the Official Languages Act 2003. In practice, though, I have a degree of sympathy with the suggestions the Deputies have made. I have discussed this aspect with groups. I refer to the different levels of service given in all State bodies to people who wish to conduct...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I think we have covered most of this. It is not only a context where it would be desirable that people would be able to communicate in Irish but one where the Official Languages Act 2003 is supposed to vindicate their rights. In a practical context, however, the Deputy has already referred to the expertise and detailed knowledge required, especially in detailed planning applications. This...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I certainly take the point on board. The evidence base the Deputy rightly speaks of is at development plan level too. I am going to work on the wording and want to confirm that to members again. All this would allow is flexibility at the local planning application assessment level. The development plan will have been done, it will be consistent with the national planning framework, NPF,...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It is consequential to amendment No. 595. I have said we intend to bring forward an amendment to this effect on Report Stage so we can kick it back and forth. Deputy McAuliffe's amendment is consequential to that.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: That is a general point.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 61: In page 42, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: “(8) Development in accordance with a notice under subsection (1) of section 59, or subsection (2) of section 60, of the Act of 2000 commenced on or after the repeal of that section by section 6 shall be exempted development for the purposes of this Act.”.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I want to put this in context and answer some of the questions. Regarding the article, all I will say is that the IPI was part of the planning advisory forum. I have met with it and addressed conferences. Its input has been considered. Local authority planners have been involved so there has been wide consultation. They have presented to this committee as well during pre-legislative...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Feb 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank members for their comments and input. On the public consultation and the planning advisory forum, it worked very well and I reject any assertion it did not. PLS was extensive. This is a significant piece of legislation. The IPI or members within it are absolutely entitled to their views. I do not have to agree with them and I do not. I am somewhat surprised this is one of the...