Department to consult Attorney General over amendments to planning bill

The department's decision to seek advice comes after a UN committee said the draft legislation fails to comply with an international convention

A spokesperson for the Department of Housing said that, 'at all time, the drafting of the bill was done so in compliance with the convention'. Picture: Getty

The Department of Housing has said it will consult with the Attorney General regarding potential amendments to the new planning bill, after a UN committee said the draft legislation fails to comply with an international convention.

The Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee last week informed the Department of the Environment that, in terms of how it allows for public oversight of the extension of planning permissions, Ireland’s new 800-page planning bill fails to rectify the fact that Irish planning law is out of step with the convention.