Latest news with #PlanningandDevelopmentAct2024
Agriland
31-07-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Public consultation opens for planning permission exemptions
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne has today (July 29) announced a significant step in the review of the exempted development provisions. Minister Browne made the announcement along with departmental colleagues, the Minister of State for Planning, John Cummins, and the Minister of State for Older People, Kieran O'Donnell. Under these proposed changes, an applicant would no longer need to apply for and attain planning permission for certain types of developments. Increasing the number of development types from requiring planning permission is aimed at a reduction in smaller applications that may no longer require the need for a full planning permission process. This would free up local authority resources for larger-scale developments, particularly for housing, and additionally would allow homeowners to proceed with small-scale projects more quickly. Conducted as part of the implementation plan for the Planning and Development Act 2024, draft updated exempted development regulations are available to view online as part of the public consultation, starting today (July 29) and running until Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Minister Browne said the government are welcoming public submissions, which he believes will be a vital part of the considerations as the new regulations are drafted in the coming months. Speaking ahead of the consultation, Minister Browne said: "We are committed to exploring all routes to help meet the urgent demand for homes across the country and in our capital city. "The work being undertaken regarding exempted developments is one strand of our determination to unblock the planning system, and the work of our planners, so they can focus on and support us to delivery housing at the scale required." "Being able to easily and simply adapt dwellings to meet changing needs could have a significant impact on people's lives," Minister Browne added. Under the current review, proposed planning permission exemptions include:
Irish Examiner
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: Let's not pretend genocide doesn't exist
'Genocide.' A simple word, really. Why all the confusion? Article II of the United Nations Convention signed by the member states officially describes genocide as 'a crime committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or part'. One of the defining criteria is 'causing serious bodily harm or mental harm to the members of a group'. Genocide. A simple word, really… with a simple definition that describes the simple concept of murdering or hurting members of a group for various specious and contrived reasons (like, maybe, 'self- defence'?). And yet as simple as the concept is, various governments such as Israel, the US, Britain, Myanmar, Russia, China conveniently engage in the game of double speak seeking to cloud the very real acts of killing and destruction of a people. The word clearly defines a criminal act against humanity. That definition was agreed upon in a compromise reached by the UN member states in 1948 signed by Israel, the US, Britain, China, Myanmar, Russia, among many others during the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Perhaps it is thought that by not speaking the word that this crime against humanity will not and doesn't exist. Yes, we can all sleep more easily if only we avoid that horrid word. And humanity can sleep dreams of denial rather than rightfully experiencing nightmares of our complicity as witnessed by the lack of protest and action. Rick Fichter, Ramelton, Co Donegal Fears over Eircode were not realised It's hard to believe, that 10 years ago, Ireland's postcode system was introduced. Gone are the days of searching for a rural house as Eircode has come to our rescue. I remember in 2015 , all the hullabaloo, the giving out and all the nonsense from critics apropos to this avant system. It's my contention that these objectors were spectacularly wrong. I especially remember some politicians giving out about this new system. The idea of rolling out a postal code across the country in 2015 was perceived by many people as being chimeric. Some cynics uttered: Who do we think we are? That was because we were coming out of austerity and these people started questioning how the State could be investing €16m on this system where the €16m would eventually cost €27m. Then we had the likes of the Fire and Emergency Services Association saying that the scheme would cause confusion for first responders. We now know that this was all unnecessary hysteria. Thankfully, the postcode system has been a resounding success. John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Planning and reality: A wide gap An Bórd Pleanála is now An Comisúin Pleanála. One of the first provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024 to be commenced. Unfortunately, the 'change' of title, and indeed the new act when it is fully commenced, will do little to prevent bizarre determinations like that to refuse the demolition of a set of redundant concrete car park ramps in Dublin Airport. In upholding the decision of Fingal County Council, ACP stated that, notwithstanding the fact that the spirals were not a protected structure, they are of technical and architectural merit by virtue of their brutalist design, associated concrete construction and their unique architectural form and shape which reflect a distinctive feature adjacent to the T1 building. They were built in 1972, 53 years ago to serve a facility that no longer exists. And yes, of concrete; a basic commonplace construction material. As acknowledged by ACP, they are not protected structures. But nevertheless, it found a planning rationale to refuse their demolition. I'm not inclined to go overboard with odious hypothetical comparisons but consider this: If the same view was taken of the 'brutalist' form of the Ballymun Towers and Hawkins House, we would be doubtless celebrating the retention of icons of 1960s brutalist architecture. Allied to the absurd flight cap conditioned in 2007 and that an entire Part (5) of the new Planning Act covers Dublin Airport, the gap between planning and land use theory and reality will remain as wide as ever. Larry Dunne, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford 'Longtermism' is an oxymoron One has to ardently admire and solemnly salute the authentic optimism of Coalition 2030, whose recent wide-spectrum forum conceived the idea of a 'commissioner for future generations' to be appointed in Ireland to act as 'a sustainability tsar'. This would be enacted to ensure 'longtermism' is planted firmly in government decision-making. More power to their collective elbow. Ultra-worthy and all as the idea is, it is bordering on thinking on a grand scale. 'Longtermism' in statutory governance parlance has an innate oxymoronic essence woven through its conceptual wish-list. Of course it's imperative that governance should be securely planning ahead with future climate initiatives, and how. It's a no brainer. But will they go there ? Absolutely and shamefully not. The perennial democratic 'greed-jousting', aka party-political electioneering, will never allow such lofty considerations take root. The recent demise of Green advocacy within parliamentary portals has put paid to any revolutionary shoots of biodiverse radicalism and climate urgency conversion. That said, at least the notion of a 'sustainability tsar' has now been formally mooted, so perhaps the notion of transmogrifying traditionally blinkered self-serving political traditions along the path towards 'longtermism' can begin to take wings. Green wings, that is, not a drop of fossil fuel in sight, but they will need a permanently robust breeze not a blast of hot air. Jim Cosgrove, Lismore, Co Waterford Greyhounds do not deserve this When is a dog not a dog'? When it is a greyhound. Under Irish Law Greyhounds are classified as 'livestock' the same as cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry. They are under the remit of the Department of Agriculture. Last year, the Veterinary Council of Ireland changed its code of practice to prohibit the barbaric procedure of surgical artificial insemination on all dogs apart from greyhounds — existing legislation allows for this. Surgical artificial insemination is worthy of inclusion in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, although even she may have found it a stretch. It necessitates removal of the uterus, injecting it with semen, reinserting it and stitching the animal up. Following this high-risk procedure, the unfortunate animal is likely to be pregnant with between eight and 10 pups, putting a huge strain on the recent wound. Yet one year after the public consultation on the matter we are still awaiting the outcome for greyhounds. Greyhounds are gentle creatures that do not deserve to be treated like this. No animal does. There should be no exceptions to this ban. Neither should taxpayers' money be used to fund this industry. If it is a viable industry as it claims to be, why does it need a handout of €20m a year? Joan Burgess, Annmount, Cork Voice notes take away any doubt Voice notes are the latest popular way to communicate. There are some who find the idea of listening to messages annoying. But, it could actually be a positive movement. With text messages, there can be misunderstandings. Even something as simple as 'okay' can mean different things depending on tonal variations. With voice notes, there is no doubt about the caller's intent. You can hear their mood, happy, sad or angry. There is no need for emojis or acronyms such as 'lol' to glean someone's mood. It is a step towards bringing back the art of small talk and conversation. It also has the added benefit of making those terrible emojis completely obsolete. John Jennings, Knocknacarra, Galway Read More Letters to the Editor: Shane Lowry displayed true dignity and honesty at The Open
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Kerry town in danger of losing its character – ‘There has been some questionable things around'
Kerryman Killarney town centre is in danger of losing its character unless rules are introduced to govern the appearance of shopfronts, the Mayor has claimed. Mayor Martin Grady has called on Kerry County Council to formulate a policy to ensure conformity in the appearance of shopfronts in the Killarney area. The Mayor, speaking at last Friday's Municipal District meeting, said planning permission is not required to make alterations to a shopfront. This is unless a 'change the use' is desired at the premises. 'So in other words, somebody can come along, apply for change of use, and in five months' time they can look around and do what they want to the shopfront,' Mayor Grady said. 'I think it's very wrong.' 'There is many exemptions. Somebody said there is not enough restrictions. 'People can hardly hang a flower basket outside of their houses in the countryside or inside in town. 'Yet, we have the town centre and you can have a neon light, paint the shop front whichever colour you wish, you can have all sorts of paraphernalia inside the window for sale. I think it's wrong. 'Look, I just feel we are going to lose our character in the town on this. So look if the council ourselves can do something on this, if not write a letter to the Minister to make a change.' Independent councillor Maura Healy-Rae seconded the Mayor's proposal. 'There has been some questionable things around the town,' Cllr Healy-Rae said. ADVERTISEMENT The council's response to the Mayor's proposal stated that it has published detailed 'Shopfront Design Guidelines'. These guidelines include advice and guidance in respect of materials and colours to be used, signage, lighting, advertising and the relationship between a shopfront and adjacent structures. The guidelines can be inspected on the Kerry County council website. A council official indicated to Mayor Grady that the guidelines outlined currently do not have to be adhered to by law. The official said the appearance of shopfronts is being looked at nationally through new planning regulations and acts. He suggested the council will have 'more leverage' to take action on the appearance of frontages under new laws. The Planning and Development Act 2024 states that a planning authority may, in some cases, prepare a draft scheme setting out objectives for streetscape developments including the co-ordination and upgrading of shop frontages.
The Journal
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Paul Reid will receive €50k salary as head of new planning authority
FORMER HSE CHIEF Paul Reid will receive a salary of €50,000 in his new role as chairperson of An Coimisiún Pleanála, a new planning authority that will replace An Bord Pleanála. His appointment was approved by Cabinet this afternoon after Housing Minister James Browne brought a memo for information to establish the new body. Reid served as the Director General of the HSE from 2019 to 2022. He was chief executive of Fingal County Council from 2014 to 2019, and is a member of the board of Uisce Éireann. He also chaired the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs in 2023. An Coimisiún Pleanála is being established in line with the phased commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which was approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas in October last year . The Act essentially allows for the restructuring of An Bord Pleanála. The reformed and renamed commission will have a new governing board and will be subject to statutory mandatory timelines to give confidence and certainty to applicants. Advertisement Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, the Housing Minister said the commission 'is probably the single most important agency we have in this State'. 'It decides not only housing and how quickly that can be delivered, but also our transport, our education and our hospitals,' he said. Asked how he came to appoint Reid as its new chairperson, Browne said he looked at the State agencies, particularly those under his own remit, and sought people who were on the boards 'who would fit that bill'. 'I identified Paul Reid as somebody having that governance experience, that management experience, because this is going to be a real hands-on role.' Browne confirmed that Reid would receive a salary of €50,000 per year as chairperson. He said he would 'have to check' whether he will also be entitled to allowances, but said 'I'm not aware that there is any'. 'Mr Reid will be expected to be very hands on on an almost daily basis, engaging with the CEO to ensure that this change of management happens as well with this huge body,' he said. In January of last year, Paul Mullan was appointed head of An Bord Pleanála for a term of seven years. It was expected that he would assume the role as head of An Coimisiún Pleanála. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Former HSE chief Paul Reid to be appointed head of new planning authority
FORMER HEAD OF the HSE Paul Reid is expected to be named as the chairperson of An Coimisiún Pleanála, a new planning authority that will replace An Bord Pleanála. It is expected Housing Minister James Browne will bring a memo for information to cabinet to establish the new body. Advertisement Reid served as the Director General of the HSE from 2019 to 2022. He was chief executive of Final County Council from 2014 to 2019, and is a member of the board of Uisce Éireann. The body is being established in line with the phased commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which was approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas in October last year . The Act essentially allows for the restructuring of An Bord Pleanála. The Act followed a review by the Office of the Planning Regulator in 2022 that found that the current planning body was in need of serious reform. Public confidence in An Bord Pleanála has been considerably diminished by a number of controversies and governance issues. The reformed and renamed body will have a new governing board, including a new chairperson, and will be subject to statutory mandatory timelines to give confidence and certainty to applicants. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
