Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
379. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement that there has been by his Department with the Attorney General on the planning review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39222/22]
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. The review forms one of the actions in Housing for All and is set in the context of the broad policy outlined therein.
The review is being overseen by the Attorney General and he has appointed a working group of professionals with planning law expertise to assist him in this work. It is intended that the review will be completed by December 2022.
Extensive work is underway on the review and a dedicated Planning Legislation Review Unit has been established within my Department to work closely with the Attorney General and his working group on an ongoing basis, particularly with regards to any policy implications of proposed changes, responsibility for which lies within the remit of the Minister.
To supplement this work, extensive stakeholder engagement is underway. A Planning Advisory Forum has been established, consisting of a wide stakeholder membership with representatives from a broad range of sectors, including representation from the public sector, business, environmental, social and knowledge based sectors. This forum, which I chair, is a key element of the planning review and its role is to input to the evolving policy and legal agenda, particularly in relation to the review.
