Results 21,121-21,140 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, on her appointment. She was a valuable member of this committee and I wish her well in her new role. I take it that a replacement member will be appointed to the committee without delay. In fairness, the Minister of State played an active role in the committee and I wish her my best. I thank the Deputies for the amendments. Going...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Is that amendment No. 674?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I will come back on that.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: Exactly. This allows a group to insert itself into the process. If it made the original observation, it is absolutely no problem.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank members for their follow-up remarks. It is important to restate that section 99(1) refers to "any person", so if, say, a group were not established, an individual could make the original observation as an interested party. That is protected all the way through the legislation. Under subsection (2), prescribed bodies can insert themselves into the process, and rightly so. We want...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I do not. I believe it is well covered already. I have already said that prior to Report Stage I will look at the screening piece just to make sure we require that or not. There are active environmental NGOs out there right now that carry out an important role and have a really important position within our planning system. I put it to the Deputy that they too would want that clarity and...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I have been told the answer is "No". That section is on page 224.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: That is exactly as is, yes.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 679: In page 225, line 21, after “concerned” to insert the following: “(either individually or in combination with any plan or other project within the meaning of the Habitats Directive)”.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I move amendment No. 680: In page 225, lines 22 and 23, to delete “(either individually or in combination with other plans or projects within the meaning of the Habitats Directive)”.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It is broadly a transposition. I will check the 2000 Act.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: The purpose is the same as section 37 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. It is pretty much a transposition. It is shorter because that has been split across the Bill. Does the Deputy have the existing Act?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It is on page 157.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: No.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It is pretty much the same. Is the Deputy referring to section 103?

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: It is sections 128 and 129 in the existing Act. I will double-check. There are no substantive or substantial differences.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: They are being worked through right now. I intend to discuss them with the committee in advance of Report Stage.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Planning and Development Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Apr 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: We will. It is an important part. We will send a note through but when we have the draft amendments it is important all members see it. It is a matter of concern across all parties and independents. We will do it.