Results 141-160 of 1,048,735 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Damien English OR speaker:Réada Cronin OR speaker:Johnny Mythen OR speaker:Bernard Durkan OR speaker:Martin Browne OR speaker:Steven Matthews) in 'Committee meetings'

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: Obviously, if Senator Cummins makes a submission as part of this consultation to clarify the points he is making, the officials will take those into account. Will the officials come back to the committee to tell us if they can define the commuting zone, the functional urban area, the criteria for inclusion of an area within a MASP, and clarify the ability of the regional assemblies to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: We had not invited the Minister but I do not think the committee would have any objection to that. Our next meeting when we return is with the Electoral Commission but I would not have any issue with inviting the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, in as part of that consultation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: The planning nerds in the room and those watching on TV will gladly read through 200 or 400 pages of planning documents over the next couple of weeks. Many people do not have the time for that and would find it really difficult to get into those documents. Does the Department produce a non-technical summary or an easy-to-read introduction to the document? It would bring people into the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: I think that would be helpful, if it was the first thing people saw when they clicked on the website or the consultation portal. An introduction would show what the process is all about and what it is hoping to achieve. Beyond that, there could be reams and reams of detail for those who are interested.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: The Deputy can come back in.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: Is a response required to that last comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: The two land activation measures were mentioned. It is important to point out that the zoned land tax was legislated for but was then parked for a year. I really hope and push for that to come in and be activated in the finance Bill this year because it is an important measure. The committee has done its work on land-value sharing. We have sent back our pre-legislative scrutiny report...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: Before I take the next slot and then move on to the third round, does Ms Kenny wish to say something?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: I will let Deputies Leddin and Ó Broin and Senator O’Reilly contribute again in the third round. I will ask a couple of questions based on what we have discussed so far. We spoke about the figure for unmet or pent-up demand. The Housing Commission reported on its estimation of that. Has the Department carried out a study on the level and range of pent-up demand?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: That is fine. The more research we have, the better as far as I am concerned. The Housing Commission’s report was one thing. The ESRI’s report on structural demand was another. They both inform us and provide the evidence we need. Regarding transport-oriented development, does the Department have a definition of “TOD”? As Mr. Hogan well knows, I have been...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: In one school of thought, transport-oriented development is about high-capacity and high-frequency public transport. In my view, TOD is a little more than that. It is about being able to walk, cycle or take a bus, tram or whatever it might be. Even the car. Cars are necessary in some situations. In the Department’s view, is TOD of a large scale – for example, the four-track...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: Those were good answers. I believe it was mentioned that the planning advisory forum combined 51 contributors. Is the list of contributors available?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: Is that on the Department’s website?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: That is grand. An expert group was referred to in the opening statement. Whom does it comprise?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: The recent ESRI report considered 12 different factors, including whether obsolescence rates would be high or low and whether migration would be base line, high or low. It spoke about internal migration as well. This is a matter that needs to be considered. Is there a draw to Dublin from the regions among people who want to move to Dublin? Is that draw being created because the investment...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: Employment can be directly related to state investment as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: It comes back to the national development plan. One invests in good infrastructure. One invests in town centres first, as Mr. Hogan referred to. If one achieves that balance, if one brings that life and vibrancy back into the regions, that creates employment as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: The other things that are necessary for a city to grow include power, utilities, water and transport. There is a very large focus on the east coast in terms of renewable energy development. Is that a factor in this as well? For example, the national grid throughout the country needs to be upgraded. Are the stages of upgrading the national grid fed into this as well? It should be proper...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Consultation on the Draft National Planning Framework: Discussion (11 Jul 2024)

Steven Matthews: I thank Ms Walsh. I have two quick questions because I am just out of time. Will the wind energy guidelines and the rural housing guidelines be published before the final national planning framework is agreed?