Vol. 499 No. 3
254 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures, if any, taken to require planning authorities to inform and consult the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands regarding applications for new holiday home schemes in the Gaeltacht before decisions are made on such applications. [2815/99]
The Planning Acts do not require that the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands be consulted about new holiday home developments in the Gaeltacht by planning authorities. However, as part of the comprehensive review of the Planning Acts, the statutory consultation requirements have been reviewed and any proposals in the matter will be contained in a Bill to revise and consolidate the Planning Acts which I hope to publish by mid-year.
