John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the premise of the Minister of State's argument on the grouping. It was never intended that section 5 of the previous Act would be used as an enforcement mechanism. Rather, it was to facilitate development. This is the point I made during pre-legislative scrutiny, particularly regarding section 10(6), on the time it takes to get declaration. The new section 10, which was section 5, sets the time at eight weeks. The point I made during pre-legislative scrutiny was that the section 5 mechanism could facilitate the speedy delivery of housing units in our cities and town centre areas for regeneration. It is often the case that local authorities are not able to make a decision within an eight-week period. I believe it should be a six-week period because if we want to make it more streamlined to be able to facilitate the faster delivery of units through a mechanism such as this, it has to be more beneficial than going through the full planning permission process. Perhaps this is something that can be looked at on Report Stage. I know there would be some resistance to it but I have seen declarations under section 5, which will now be section 10, work very well.

The Minister of State's points are very well made with regard to what it is supposed to be and what it is not supposed to be. I am satisfied with what he said but I ask him to look at the timelines on decision-making to make it a more attractive process for quicker delivery in our city and town areas.