Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2021
195. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is intended to have public consultations as part of the planning legislation review that was announced on 28 September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49798/21]
View answerHousing for All sets out a number of objectives with the aim of improving the functioning of the planning system including the comprehensive review and consolidation of planning legislation to be conducted in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. It intended that this review will be completed by December 2022.
This review forms one of the actions in Housing for All and is set in the context of the broad policy outlined therein.
My Department is currently establishing a Planning Advisory Forum which will be a key element of the planning review. It will manage the stakeholder engagement through the process and will be chaired by my colleague, Peter Burke, Minister of State with responsibility for Planning and Local Government. The overall aim of the planning legislative review is to ensure the clarity and coherence of the legislation, and will aim to avoid unnecessary change. However, if significant policy issues emerge through this process, my Department will consider the need for consultation beyond the Planning Advisory Forum.
The primary aim of the Forum will be to engage with stakeholders on themes to input into the review of planning legislation. It is intended that the Forum will have a wide stakeholder membership to input to the evolving policy and legal agenda, with representatives from a broad range of sectors, including representation from the public sector, business, environmental, social and knowledge based sectors. My Department will shortly be contacting various groups and interested bodies to ask them to participate in it.
