The Planning and Development Bill 2023, which is the culmination of a comprehensive legal review of the Planning and Development Act 2000, led by the Office of the Attorney General, was initiated by the Government in July 2021. Since then, every aspect of the planning legislation has been reviewed to improve clarity, consistency and confidence throughout the Irish planning system. The longest bill considered by the 33rd Dáil and the third largest in the history of the State, it was subject to extensive stakeholder engagement and Oireachtas scrutiny in recent times.
On welcoming the Bill’s passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, described it as “a pivotal moment for Government in our efforts to ensure we have a planning system that is fit for purpose, both now and into the future”.
The Minister noted that the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ strategy had committed to overhauling the planning legislation to ensure it was fit for purpose. “This legislation does just that by providing clarity, consistency and certainty for all users. Ireland will have a planning system which matches our strong ambitions for housing delivery and critical infrastructure over the coming decades.”
The legislation is the culmination of a 15-month review, ordered by then Taoiseach Micheál Martin and carried out by the former Attorney General Paul Gallagher. First published in January 2023, it underwent widespread consultation and has been subject to more than 175 hours of debate across both houses of the Oireachtas.
Alan Dillon TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, said the Bill is “momentous” not only in its size, but in its significance to nearly every aspect of people’s lives, from housing delivery to critical infrastructure to future proof our country. “The extra funding secured in Budget 2025 will help to make sure our planning system, including An Bord Pleanála and our local planning authorities, has the staff and resources to underpin this transformation.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD added: “Protection of our natural, built and archaeological heritage is vital as our country’s population continues to grow. A robust planning regime with public participation at its core is a cornerstone of how we conserve our shared heritage. This Bill will help us to achieve our common goal.”
Arrangements are being put in place to roll out the Act on a phased basis to allow for the smooth operational transition of this updated legislation across the planning system. Local authorities, An Bord Pleanála, the Office of the Planning Regulator, in addition to infrastructure providers and professional planning institutes are being consulted on this work.
