Nailing down housing laws

That was the Progressive Democrats’ mantra just a few months ago in the party’s local elections manifesto.

The holiday home being built by the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, in Co Roscommon is significantly different to the plans originally approved by the county council.

The minister now has to submit an application for the retention of the house near Rooskey.

Pledging to force each council to set up a dedicated planning enforcement unit, with a specific budget, workplan and reporting line, the PDs promised to get tough on planning infringements.

“We will insist that where developments go ahead and infringe planning conditions, work must stop until a fresh application for planning has been assessed and approved by the planning authority,” the manifesto says.

Launching the party’s manifesto before the elections, Tánaiste Mary Harney said law enforcement stretched across the local government spectrum.

“A strong theme in our party manifesto can be summed up as, ‘make good law, enforce the law’.

“This goes right across the crime and anti-social behaviour, to planning, housing and waste management.

“We will provide the political will and priority to enforce planning law,” she said.

The manifesto states clearly: “As in crime, so in planning: make the law, enforce the law.”

“We are determined to create a planning system that is enforced,” the manifesto says.