Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
358. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the review and consolidation of planning legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18016/22]
View answer394. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review of planning guidelines will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18388/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 394 together.
Housing 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. The Planning Legislation Review forms one of the actions in Housing for All and is set in the context of the broad policy outlined therein, and it is assumed that this is the review being referred to in both questions.
The review is being led by the Attorney General and he has appointed a working group of professionals with planning law expertise to assist him in this work. Extensive work is underway on the review and my Department is engaging with the Attorney General and the working group on it. The review is due to be finalised by September 2022 to allow updated legislation to be enacted by December 2022.
My Department is also engaging with stakeholders with regard to the review and in this regard, has established a Planning Advisory Forum consisting of representatives from a broad range of sectors, including the public sector, business, environmental, social and knowledge based sectors. The role of this Forum, which I chair, is to input to the evolving policy and legal agenda, particularly in relation to the Planning Legislation Review.
