Government defends changes to judicial reviews of planning decisions

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the measures would reduce the number of judicial reviews being taken, but that he does not want to see no judicial reviews being brought

Green Party leader and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien at a press conference at Government Buildings following the approval of a major planning bill. Picture: PA

The Government is defending changes to how judicial reviews can be brought against planning applications, under extensive reforms of the country's planning laws.

The Planning and Development Bill, brought forward by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, received Cabinet approval on Tuesday after taking over two years to draft.