Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The National Planning Framework (NPF) was approved by Government and launched on 16th February 2018, together with the National Development Plan, as 'Project Ireland 2040'. Government reaffirmed its decision to adopt and publish the National Planning Framework, and the associated 10-year Capital Investment Plan as a strategy on the 29th May 2018.  In legislative terms, the NPF is the successor strategy to the National Spatial Strategy.

Prior to Government’s final ratification of the NPF in May 2018, extensive stakeholder and public consultation was undertaken at national, regional and local level from the time NPF preparations began in 2014, to ensure early input and buy-in at community and citizen level, as well as with key policy-makers and representative organisations. Part of the consultation included a pre-draft stage in February 2017 and a draft stage in September 2017.

In addition, both Houses of the Oireachtas adopted a motion to refer the draft NPF to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government requesting that Committee to prepare a report on the draft document that would be considered in finalising the document. The report, prepared by the Committee, was considered alongside the extensive debate in the Dáil.

The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 (the Act) subsequently established a legislative mechanism for preparing and adopting the NPF in the future.  In relation to the ratification process, section 20C (8) of the Act makes the following provision:

The Government shall submit the draft of the revised or new National Planning Framework, together with the Environmental Report and Appropriate Assessment Report for the approval of each House of the Oireachtas before it is published.

The Act was signed into law by the President on 19 July 2018, having passed both Houses of the Oireachtas. Further details regarding the passage of the Act can be found at www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2016/1/?tab=debates