Individual planning authorities are primarily responsible for the enforcement of planning control. I consider that strong and visible enforcement is critical to ensure that the planning control system works properly and for the benefit of the whole community. The new simplified and strengthened legislative provisions on enforcement in the Planning and Development Act, 2000, will address a range of issues relevant to enforcement and will include, in particular, a requirement on local authorities to keep complainants updated as enforcement actions proceed.
Section 255 of the Act introduces new provisions on monitoring the performance of the functions of planning authorities and includes a reserve power for the Minister to appoint a commissioner to perform all or any of the functions of a planning authority which does not carry out its functions in accordance with the requirements of, or under, the Act. I propose to commence the enforcement provisions of the Act, together with the general development control provisions, early in the new year.
Question No. 246 answered with Question No. 244.