Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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641. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the date by which he will commence section 587 of the Planning and Development Act 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55433/25]

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) will introduce a new set of procedures intended to address 'spurious' planning submissions, appeals and judicial reviews. Section 587 of the Act of 2024 prohibits a person from requesting a payment, benefit in kind, or other specified economic benefits, for not making a planning submission or taking a planning appeal or judicial review, or for withdrawing a submission, planning appeal or a judicial review.

A person who in contravention of section 587 will be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both. It should be noted that section 587 does not apply to a request made by the owner or occupier of land or a maritime site made in good faith for the purpose of compensation for loss of enjoyment of that land or maritime site by the owner or occupier and which is likely to be occasioned by a proposed development.

Section 587 is scheduled to be brought into operation alongside the corresponding development consent provisions under Part 4 of the Act of 2024. As set out in the commencement schedule for the Act of 2024 (available to view at www.gov.ie/planning) it is anticipated that Part 4 will be commenced under 'Block C' of the schedule, which is due to be actioned following the completion of the 'Block B commencements' that are due to take place before the end of this year.