Results 1,221-1,240 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

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

Steven Matthews: I want to clarify a point with the Minister about the decision-making powers. We have to trust councillors who are elected by a democratic process. They have a role all the way through the planning system, from the development plans and Part 8s. What I am seeking to do is to introduce something similar to what is in section 103(3)(b). The word "substantially" is used there. If it is...

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

Steven Matthews: I agree with most of the contributions. Generally, Part 8 is a good process. It is a very democratic process. I am not talking about where the chief executive's report comes forward and contains something that may not have been in the public consultation. Something may have occurred in the process. In that situation, the councillors are free to reject that part of the chief executive's...

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

Steven Matthews: No.

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

Steven Matthews: I will briefly speak to the last amendment, No. 786, which relates to phasing plans. It is an amendment to section 165. What is specified in the phasing plan is the sequencing of the proposed development. Does that include the provision of amenity or recreational aspects of a development?

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

Steven Matthews: It does. It covers the phasing of all aspects contained within the application.

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

Steven Matthews: That phasing works well in some cases but I have seen cases where developers have tried to renegotiate that phasing, saying that we were going to put in a park or playground in phase 1 but now have to wait until phase 3 is finished. I know that is agreed with the planning authority and that the authority has to agree in writing. That is covered in section 165(4), is it not? However, I...

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

Steven Matthews: I accept that, in some situations, the viability of the development can also be impacted.

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

Steven Matthews: It may be the case that we can either push back elements or get no development whatsoever. I just want to ensure the common good is well represented.

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

Steven Matthews: I thank Deputy O'Callaghan. Deputy Ó Broin, too, wants to contribute on this one.

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

Steven Matthews: I thank Deputy Ó Broin. That is amendment No. 732. I believe the remaining amendments in the group are ministerial amendments, which are amendments Nos. 703 and 704.

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

Steven Matthews: Amendments Nos. 703 and 704 are in that grouping for discussion. There are also amendments Nos. 744, 745 and 786. I do not know if there is a logical order in which to discuss these.

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

Steven Matthews: I will give the Deputy that opportunity now. We will now discuss amendment No. 732, which is in his name.

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

Steven Matthews: Thanks Minister. Amendments Nos. 704 and 745 are related as well.

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

Steven Matthews: All the amendments in that group have been discussed. Deputy McAuliffe withdrew amendment No. 691.

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

Steven Matthews: No, we have agreed section 109. We are now dealing with section 110, according to my notes.

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

Steven Matthews: Okay, we will suspend until 6 p.m.

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

Steven Matthews: I welcome everybody back to the Committee Stage consideration of the Planning and Development Bill 2023. I welcome the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, back to the committee. We are on section 116 and Deputy Ó Broin had a question on the section before we put the question on it.

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

Steven Matthews: Based on the Minister's response, I will withdraw amendment No. 710.

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

Steven Matthews: Based on the Minister's response, I will withdraw amendment No. 712.

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

Steven Matthews: Amendment No. 713 is my name and I will withdraw it.