Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party)
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130. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider removing the section in the draft development plan guidelines which restricts councillors from addressing matters that are the subject of other legislative provisions such as NZEB and passive house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46319/21]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently updating Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans. As part of this process, draft Guidelines were published for public consultation last month. The period for making submissions runs from Friday 13^thAugust 2021 until 5pm on Friday 8^thOctober 2021. Further details including relevant documents can be found on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/consultation/ef157-public-consultation-on-the-draft-development-plan-guidelines-for-planning-authorities/ .

As part of the consultation process, my Department welcomes all proposals on the draft document and in particular I would particularly encourage public representatives to avail of the opportunity to submit their views. All submissions will be considered when the consultation period closes with a view to finalising updated Guidelines by the end of the year.

It must be borne in mind when making a submission on the draft Guidelines, that the statutory development plan process may consider matters within the scope of the development plan as set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000. It is also important to note that neither ministerial guidance issued under Section 28 of that Act, nor any individual development plan, may operate to contradict or override other legislative provisions.

As the consultation period is ongoing, it would be premature to comment further on the matter at this time.