The three Regional Assemblies were established further to the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and comprise representation from the constituent local authorities in the Eastern and Midland (Dublin, the Mid-East and Midlands), Northern and Western (North-West, West and Border) and Southern (Mid-West, South-West and South-East) regions.
These Regional Assemblies play a critical role in the implementation of the National Planning Framework (NPF), published under Project Ireland 2040, which sits at the top of the planning policy hierarchy in Ireland and provides a structure for future development and investment over the next two decades. This national level planning policy is being implemented at the regional level through the delivery of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES) for each of the three Regional Assembly areas.
In accordance with section 23 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the objective of an RSES is to provide a long-term strategic planning and economic framework for the development of each regional assembly areas that is consistent with the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the economic policies or objectives of the Government, and must be for a period of not less than 12 years and not more than 20 years.
Section 27 of the Planning Act requires a local authority, when making a development plan or a local area plan, to ensure that the plan is consistent with any regional spatial and economic strategy in force for its area. I am also empowered under this section to determine, by order, that local authorities shall comply with any RSES in force for their area.
Sections 27A and 27B of the Planning Act provide that where a planning authority is reviewing a development plan and has prepared a draft development plan, notice must be given to the relevant Regional Assembly. In each case the relevant regional assembly must produce a report for submission to the planning authority in response.
Under Section 27B in particular, the report of the Regional Assembly must state whether, in the opinion of that assembly the draft development plan, and its core strategy, are consistent with the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) in force for the area of the development plan. Where the Regional Assembly determines that the draft development plan is not consistent with the RSES, it must provide recommendations regarding appropriate amendments to the development plan.
In each case, a copy of the reports prepared by the Regional Assembly under Sections 27A and 27B are also sent to my Department and to the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR).
Similarly, where a local authority intends to make a variation to a development plan under Section 13 of the Planning and Development Act, Section 27C also requires the relevant regional assembly to prepare a report relating to the draft variation that shall state whether, in their opinion is consistent with the RSES and which if necessary, must include recommended amendments to ensure consistency. In the instance of a variation to a development plan, a copy of this report is also sent to my Department and the OPR.
Unlike the Office of the Planning Regulator, the Regional Assemblies do not make direct reccomendations to me, as Minister, in respect of development plans. However, in evaluating development plans under Section 31AM of the Planning and Development Act, the Regulator in assessing consistency with the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, will have been copied the observation or submissions, including recommendations of the Regional Assembly that have been made to a planning authority under Sections 27A and 27B or 27C.
Furthermore, as Minister, I will also be aware of the report and submission of the Regional Assembly on a development plan, and consistency with the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy is a key consideration in forming an opinion whether to issue a direction under Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act.
I am satisfied that there is sufficient oversight by the Regional Assemblies, the Office of the Planning Regulator and my Department of the city and county development plan process and the interaction between the county development plans and RSESs, to take account of any intervention that may be required to ensure appropriate planning and sustainable development principles over the lifetime of the RSES.
