Vol. 562 No. 5
297 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has been in contact with local authorities regarding the changes in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2002; and the date the local authorities were informed in writing of these changes. [6622/03]
The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002 was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas on 18 December 2002. As an exceptional measure, a circular letter containing provisional guidance issued to each local authority, by e-mail on 19 December. This was necessary in the light of the upcoming holiday period and the significant changes to the housing supply provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, including the repeal of the provisions under which planning permissions would have expired on 31 December. The Act came into force on 24 December 2002. On 7 January 2003 a further circular was issued to local authorities, by e-mail, in relation to the Act.
Further more detailed guidelines regarding the operation of the housing supply provisions are currently being finalised and will issue to local authorities in the near future.
