Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2018
530. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the working group established to examine the judgment of the European Court of Justice regarding the construction of one-off houses also known as the Flemish Decree; the reason the deadline for this group to report back has been missed by almost a year; when the group will report back; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38538/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing engagement between the European Commission and my Department regarding the 2013 European Court of Justice ruling in the "Flemish Decree" case, a working group, comprising senior representatives from my Department and planning authorities, was established in May 2017 to review and, where necessary, recommend changes to the 2005 Planning Guidelines on Sustainable Rural Housing, issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. The objective is to ensure that rural housing policies and objectives contained in local authority development plans comply with the relevant provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
The Working Group has concluded its deliberations and, taking account of the Group's analysis and recommended outcome, my Department has been engaging with the Commission on the matter, with a view to issuing revisions to the 2005 Guidelines that take account of the relevant ECJ judgment to planning authorities by the end of this year.
