Charles Flanagan
Question:134. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Planning and Development Bill 2023; and the timeline for the enactment of the legislation. [44584/23]
View answerThursday, 12 October 2023
Questions (134)
Written answers
A comprehensive review of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) was initiated in May 2021, led by the Office of the Attorney General. This process included extensive stakeholder engagement, particularly with the Planning Advisory Forum established in December 2021. The review culminated in the publication of the draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 in January 2023.
The draft Bill subsequently underwent a very extensive pre-legislative scrutiny process over a three month period, undertaken by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Taking consideration of the same and further stakeholder engagement, the Bill was further updated and on 3 October the Cabinet agreed the publication of the Planning and Development Bill 2023.
The Bill, which is the third largest in the history of the State, will be published within the coming weeks and will then commence in the Oireachtas, subject to its timetable.