Mr Phil Hogan TD Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government today (27 March, 2012) during the debate in the Dail on the recently published Mahon report outlined his plans for a speedy response to the report and the finalisation of the promised planning review initiated by the previous Minister for the Environment.
During his speech the Minister referred to the recent positive changes to the planning system and how we have already learned from our past mistakes and how we can improve in the future.
"Planning is clearly an issue that pervades the Tribunal’s work and analysis, and I welcome the systemic transformation of the planning system in recent years that has, albeit belatedly, shifted from being developer-led to a more evidence-based and vertically integrated system. This reforming work is continuing under the stewardship of the Minister for Housing & Planning Jan O’Sullivan," he said
The planning review announced by the former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was intended to assess the application of planning legislation, policy and guidance within the development plan and development management systems at local level and to inform further policy development in these areas.
A number of planning authorities, representing a broad geographical spread of both urban and rural areas as well as both large and small authorities, had been selected to assist in the review of policies and practices by reference to a number of cases raised with the Department.
The Minister for Housing and Planning in the new government, Minister Penrose considered that the very considerable cost of retaining consultants to conduct these inquiries required some further examination. He instructed officials to conduct an internal review and to report to him on what further actions might be warranted
Minister Hogan said, "I am determined, with my colleague Minister of State O’Sullivan, to make it a priority policy objective of my Department that the planning system continues to evolve into a more evidence-based regime so that the scope for egregious zoning decisions is eliminated as far as possible."
"It is sad to say that the last Government did not attach the same priority to addressing issues in the planning system. Indeed, my predecessor, having announced independent inquiries into six local authorities in June 2010, left office more than seven months later, having not commenced any. Under this Government, the cases involved are being considered by my Department. A report will be finalised in early May and Minister of State O’Sullivan will be issuing a public statement on the matter at that time, including details of any further actions considered necessary," he concluded.