Vol. 486 No. 3
91 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will make a statement on reports recently attributed to him that there is far too much abuse in the Irish planning system; and the proposals, if any, he has to rectify the situation. [2375/98]
At the national planning convention held on 27 November last to discuss the comprehensive review of planning legislation which I have initiated, I stated that enforcement was an area of the planning service that many felt to have been neglected. I stated that there had been far too much abuse of the facility which provides for retention permission. Such a provision was intended to allow for genuine mistakes to be rectified, not as a means of circumventing the planning system. I have indicated that the issue of enforcement, including the question of retention permission, will be carefully considered as part of the present planning review.
