Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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330. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the proposed new planning legislation in preparation by his Department (details supplied); and the expected timeline for the introduction. [51216/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The review and consolidation of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) is progressing in line with the timeline set out by the Office of the Attorney General, who is leading on the project. A Bill is expected to be brought to Government by the end of the year. The Attorney General has established a working group of planning law experts to assist him with the review and there is ongoing, intensive engagement between the working group and my Department. There is also ongoing engagement with stakeholders from a broad range of sectors, including the public sector, business, environmental, social and knowledge based sectors through the Planning Advisory Forum, which plays an important role in contributing to the emerging policy considerations of the Review. My Department officials have also attended a series of meetings with the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on key aspects of the legislation.

The Review is a key commitment in the Government’s Housing for All plan, with the aim of improving the functioning of the planning system. Public participation is a hallmark of the current planning system and will remain a central component of the planning system in the updated legislation.