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

We have discussed this aspect already. I welcome the Senators' engagement with this legislation and thank them for it. I genuinely welcome that Members of all parties and none are supporting this legislation which will bring a significant change to the planning process. It is required. I also welcome Senator Warfield and his party coming around to accepting the need for a transitional arrangement, unlike on Second Stage, where they did not believe that transitional arrangements were needed at all.

Passing this Bill would see the new LRD process start from 17 December, and that is what we are aiming for. If applicants have engaged with the additional SHD process, through the formal pre-planning process, then it is not possible to move them out of that process and into another one. It is not a long goodbye and we are not extending this situation. It was the same with co-living, by the way, where we had to include screening for a month. We did what we said we would do with co-living and this Government has ended that concept.

The reality, however, is that we must provide for a transition in this case, and we are doing that. We have outlined the process and the timelines involved clearly. Subject to the legislation being passed by the Oireachtas and signed into law, we aim to have the new LRD process commence from 17 December. Therefore, I think we have moved as quickly as we can. Most people will understand that applications in the current system must conclude under the planning system and law that pertained when they were submitted.If we do not do that then we would be open to challenge of all types. It is better to have a clean cut with this and that is what we are doing.

I understand that the Senator seeks to reduce the number of weeks from 16 to eight but I cannot accept either of the amendments.