Planning

Darragh O’Brien: new planning laws will bring confidence and transparency

Landmark bill aims to create a faster and more effective planning system after controversy and criticism of current rules

A new 738-page bill aims for a radical overhaul of Ireland’s planning framwork. Picture: RollingNews

Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Housing, has promised that his new legislation will deliver a planning system that is “fit for purpose.”

His 738-page planning bill will put in place legally binding timelines for all planning permission decisions, including appeals to An Bord Pleanála (ABP).

Previously, ABP only had legally binding timelines for decisions on fast-track housing projects, but not for other cases.

There will be fines for planning bodies that miss these deadlines, but ...