Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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380. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an assessment has been undertaken regarding the impact of vape and smoke retail outlet proliferation on commercial vacancy patterns, retail diversity or traditional retail activity within town centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40874/26]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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384. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if planning legislation currently permits local authorities to regulate or restrict the concentration or clustering of vape and smoke retail outlets within towns, villages or city centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40875/26]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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385. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if consideration has been given to introducing planning or zoning controls relating to the density or concentration of vape and smoke retail outlets within urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40876/26]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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386. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department has issued planning guidance to local authorities relating to vape and smoke retail outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40877/26]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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387. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if vape and smoke retail outlets are classified under any distinct planning-use category for the purposes of planning and development legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40878/26]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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388. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a review has been undertaken regarding the visual impact of vape and smoke retail signage, illuminated advertising or outlet clustering on historic streetscapes and town centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40879/26]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 380, 384, 385, 386, 387 and 388 together.

The National Planning Framework (2025) recognises the strong link between our health and environment and includes a National Policy Objective to support the objectives of public health policy, including Healthy Ireland, A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013–2025 and the National Physical Activity Plan, through integrating such policies, where appropriate and at the applicable scale, with planning policy. This policy support at national level is also translated into policies at the regional and local levels through the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and city and county development plans.

The Retail Planning Guidelines were issued as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in 2012. Section 28 of the Act provides that planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála (now An Coimisiún Pleanála) are required to have regard to the Guidelines in the performance of their functions.

The Guidelines recognise that the retail sector is a key component of the national economy and aims to ensure that the planning system continues to play its role in supporting competitiveness and choice in the sector, while also promoting the vitality and viability of city and town centres.

The Guidelines support a plan-led approach to the provision of new retail development. Under the Guidelines, retail strategies are to be prepared at regional and local levels, which project future retail needs and requirements aligned to the settlement hierarchy established by the National Planning Framework, Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and City and County Development Plans. This process will identify the appropriate level, form and location of retail activity.

The aim of the retail strategies is to inform and develop proposed retail design policies and objectives and the retail planning guidelines advise that planning authorities may wish to address specific issues that affect the appearance or functioning of a town or city and its retail areas. This includes a signage/advertisement strategy. Each local authority is responsible for undertaking its own vitality and viability health check as part of their published strategy and this can include dealing with environmental issues such as litter, shopfront design and diversity of uses.

Part 3, Chapter 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, relating to National Planning Statements, commenced on October 2, 2025. Ministerial Guidelines will, over time, be reviewed and replaced, as appropriate, with National Planning Statements (NPSs). Having regard to the evolving nature of the retail industry and broader changes that are impacting on the role of city and town centres in recent years, it is envisaged that a review of the Retail Planning Guidelines will be included in the review programme. In the interest of clarity, the existing Retail Planning Guidelines will continue to have effect until such time as they are replaced by an NPS.

The local authority development plan is the principal planning policy tool to achieve the NPF objectives and the requirements of Ministerial Guidelines at a local level. The zoning of land for particular purposes, including retail development, is an exercise undertaken by planning authorities as part of their overall statutory plan function generally as part of a development plan. All current development plans across the country were adopted under the Planning and Development Act 2000. Part 3, Chapter 5 (Development Plans) of the Planning and Development Act 2024 commenced on 31st December 2025. Sections 44 to 51 of the Act of 2024 require planning authorities to include various strategies and objectives in preparing development plans made under the 2024 Act, including in relation to the sustainable development of their functional area. Section 45 of the Act requires local authorities to the promote sustainable economic development, including retail provision.

With regard to the specific categories of retail establishments and consideration within the process of granting planning permission, under the provisions of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) the definition of a 'shop' includes a structure used for the retail sale of goods. The Regulations do not specify what types of goods may or may not be sold within a shop.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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381. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the development of national planning statements for critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40392/26]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government (2025) has emphasised the delivery of essential infrastructure as a key driver in attracting and retaining investment in Ireland, growing our economy, fostering regional development, delivering on our housing targets and achieving our ambitious climate goals.

In April 2025, Government agreed a set of key actions focused on accelerating infrastructure delivery, including the review of the National Development Plan, emphasising the Programme for Government’s prioritisation of increased investment in growth-enhancing infrastructure, such as energy grid capacity, water supply, transport connectivity and health digitalisation; the establishment of a new Infrastructure Division within the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; and the establishment of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce.

The Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce Report and Plan was published in December 2025, setting out a series of actions under four pillars to address infrastructure delivery. Thirty specific, time-bound measures have been designed to remove barriers. These actions represent a transformative approach to streamlining development processes and significantly reducing delivery timelines. The Accelerating Infrastructure report and action plan requires that a National Planning Statement (NPS) is developed and published.

The Revised National Planning Framework (NPF) was finalised and approved by Government and the Oireachtas in April 2025. The NPF Revision process gave rise to consideration of implementation to date, and the potential need for further support for the implementation of the NPF strategy. In particular, the process highlighted the need to give effect to the efficient coordination and delivery of enabling infrastructure and services.

Facilitating the delivery of infrastructure to support the development of housing and other necessary development is a central priority for my Department. My Department is engaged in the process of developing an NPS to set out clear policy objectives to assist and focus the planning system in supporting the appropriate development of critical infrastructure.

Furthermore, my Department is engaged with other relevant departments in scoping the drafting of the NPS and it is envisaged that there will be liaison with key infrastructure providers and relevant Government Departments, in addition to other key stakeholders, to inform the development and practical implementation of the NPS.

Part 3, Chapter 3 (sections 25-27) of the new Planning and Development Act 2024 provides for the creation of National Planning Statements (NPSs). These Statements allow the Government to clearly articulate its priorities on matters of national spatial and sectoral significance to planning authorities.

The purpose of these statements is to provide a clear and consistent framework within which regional assemblies, local authorities, An Coimisiún Pleanála and other prescribed bodies must operate. This, in turn, will ensure that the decisions of these authorities and bodies are aligned with the overarching national policy objectives as set out in the National Planning Framework. By setting out clear, unambiguous national policy objectives for the development of critical infrastructure, an NPS will build on the clear policy support provided by the Revised National Planning Framework (April 2025) and help to promote consistency, transparency and accountability in decision-making across all tiers of the planning system. This will in turn provide utilities and other investors with the clarity and certainty needed to guide investment and decision making.

In this regard it is envisaged that, in line with the timeline outlined in the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce Report and Plan, that by Q3 2026 a draft NPS will be prepared with a view towards finalising the NPS in Q1 2027.