Government 'to robustly defend' High Court challenge on apartment standards

When compared to the previous guidelines, the new rules are expected to bring down construction costs by between €50,000 and €100,000 per apartment

Planning minister John Cummins said: 'It is unfortunate that we have opposition councillors that are party to a case, that are trying to frustrate progress in this country.' Picture: iStock

The Government has played down Labour's suggestions that it will back down from changing apartment standards.

A number of councillors and a former Irish Times journalist have challenged housing minister James Browne’s changes to apartment standards in the High Court, with papers being lodged last month.