Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, to the House and congratulate him on his well-deserved elevation. As the planning issue is such a wide-ranging and complicated one, it must be subdivided. Members have spoken on rural aspects of the issue but I wish to highlight its urban aspects. Planning in Dublin is automatically assumed to refer to high rise developments, office blocks and shopping centres. While Dublin city has had its share of major developments such as high rise apartments and office development, the city's planning issues encompass far more than these. From every house extension over a certain square footage to small infill developments, there has been an explosion of one-off and domestic developments. This is in addition to the other planning applications with which Dublin City Council must deal. From the heart of the inner city to the suburbs, because of the large demand for housing, every available site is being used. In such a climate, it is crucial that a firm but fair hold is kept on the whole planning process from local authority level to An Bord Pleanála.

A new phenomenon in Dublin city is the construction of a second house in the side garden of an existing dwelling. These developments have mushroomed in council and private housing estates. In most cases it works because when the original dwelling was built space and garden size was not an issue. However, in smaller inner city areas it is essential that proper planning regulations are in place, particularly considering services provision. More importantly, these regulations must be enforced, particularly in Dublin. In the past there have been problems with enforcement. However, I have found Dublin City Council officials to be approachable in arranging preplanning meetings. Due to the volume of applications, there were problems with delays in applications but this was due mainly to under-staffing in the local authority. In some cases, delays lasting for several months were exacerbated by appeals to An Bord Pleanála. Recently, due to increases in staff numbers, the delays have been much reduced. It still takes some time to go through an appeal to An Bord Pleanála but when one considers the volume of applications, it is hardly surprising.

The years 2000 and 2003 were the eighth and ninth consecutive years of increased output with completion of 57,695 units and 68,819 units, respectively. In 2003, in Dublin city, 14,394 units were completed. In the greater Dublin area, 22,852 units were completed, a phenomenal growth of 10.5% in one year. In the first six months of 2004, 35,957 units have already been completed. These figures are just for domestic dwellings. When one adds commercial and State developments, this massive increase puts enormous pressure on the system.

Although Ireland has one of the lowest population densities in Europe, population density is a crucial issue for Dublin city and planning ahead is essential. In the 1970s and 1980s no one could have foreseen how the economy would have affected housing and commercial development and, in turn, our lifestyles. With the advent of the Celtic tiger, we failed to plan thoroughly for the future, particularly in infrastructure. For example, the M50 is continually extended and widened and the road network in the suburbs is already at breaking point. According to the medium and short-term forecast, the volume of traffic will continue to rise. We need not just to be planning for the future but for what is already there. A supply of highly trained planners is required. I know of a number of initiatives in this area, particularly one in conjunction with Harvard University. However, more resources need to be put into educating more planners.

Vexatious objections are also a problem in Dublin city and have consequences for the planning process. I am aware of individuals and groups being encouraged to object to planning applications, solely for the purpose of receiving compensation for disruption. Safeguards against this happening must be introduced while protecting those genuinely affected by developments. When the Minister, Deputy Roche, was in the House he suggested that this area would be closely examined in order to try to tighten it up. Regulations on listed buildings also need to be tightened. There are a great number of derelict buildings around the city and neither planners, local authority members nor individuals living in proximity to them know whether they are listed.

Recent developments of high density housing, especially in the inner city, have had an impact on the existing communities in these areas. I refer, in particular, to the Irish Financial Services Centre, IFSC, and other developments along the quays of the River Liffey. Much development has taken place in areas where existing communities have resided for a long time. The only way to ensure these communities are not adversely affected by developments is to involve as many local people as possible at the planning stage. Once it goes past that stage, it is too late. There have been cases throughout the city where major developments impacted badly on local communities but if some initial consultation had taken place, problems might have been avoided. An example of where direct consultation with the existing community has worked well is in the North Wall area and this approach needs to be continued.

The Minister, Deputy Roche, referred to the raft of planning legislation and regulations that exists. I welcome his proposals to improve matters. Simple changes such as the introduction of e-planning and the use of technology are essential. I have no doubt the new Minister, in conjunction with his Ministers of State, will continue to ensure the planning process is improved.