Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, I am not in a position to accept either amendment. What we are trying to do in this legislation, and what will work, is to streamline the planning process, to get it back to local authorities. Submitting an observation on a planning application is the correct and long-established way for anyone to make an observation on a planning application. The frustration there has been heretofore with SHDs is that one could not do that. If the board decision was granted, the next step was to the courts. We are trying to streamline the process. The pre-application stage is very important. Details are submitted pre-application. The meeting happens and then there are four weeks for a detailed response to go from the planning authority to enable it to deal with the good quality applications. It is not a consultation stage for all other interested or proposed stakeholders. I cannot see how we would even endeavour to manage that requirement for student accommodation or any other planning application. The appropriate stage for engagement is when an application is lodged, because it is back with the local authority. If a person is not happy with it, he or she makes a submission. An observation or objection can be made. What is proposed is a development consenting process for people to engage in. Even if we set aside student accommodation, which I know remains a serious issue, but we are dealing with it, if we allow this, then we would allow it for every single other application where someone who has an interest in it wants to be included in the pre-application stage. We could not simply stop it at student accommodation; we would have to do it for everything. I could say I have an interest in bus stations. I am not being flippant but if we accepted that principle, that is what would happen. First, we are trying to re-democratise the planning process and get it back to the local authorities and, second, we are trying to improve it and make it more efficient across the board. I have met many students. We need good, affordable student accommodation. We also need good, affordable homes and apartments for people to live in, to own and to rent. The only way we are going to do it is to increase the supply. I cannot accept amendments Nos. 14 and 19.