Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2018
323. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress made to date in discussions with the EU Commission on the implications of the Flemish Decree for Ireland; his plans to hold a public consultation on this matter before issuing a new planning circular to the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44111/18]
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 its analysis and recommended outcome, my Department has been engaging with the European Commission on the matter with a view to issuing to planning authorities, by the end of this year, revisions to the 2005 Rural Housing Guidelines that take account of the relevant ECJ judgment. It may be possible to finalise the Guidelines earlier than that, subject to the completion of outstanding work.
Having regard to the extensive engagement and interaction with planning authorities and other relevant stakeholders through the Working Group, I have no plans to hold a public consultation prior to the issuing of the revisions to the 2005 Guidelines.
