James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has made provision in the Planning and Development Bill to provide for extension of time on planning permissions in respect of applicants who cannot proceed due to the current economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40498/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, published in June 2009, provides an amendment to section 42 of the Planning and Development Acts, which currently provides that the duration of a planning permission must be extended, subject to certain conditions, where substantial works have been carried out before the expiration of the original permission.

The proposed amendment provides for the extension of permission (for a period of up to 5 years) in circumstances where substantial works have not been carried out, but there are commercial, economic or technical considerations, beyond the control of the applicant, which substantially militated against either the commencement of development or the carrying out of substantial works.

As I recently indicated at the conclusion of the Second Stage of this Bill in the Seanad, I will be examining this issue further at Committee Stage.