Planning permission rules face EU challenge

PLANNING rules that restrict building permission to those who speak Irish, are from the locality or work on the land, are to be challenged by the European Commission.

Originally designed to prevent building in areas under pressure the rules enforced by a number of local authorities make it virtually impossible for non-Irish citizens or people not from the locality to get planning permission.

Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy is understood to believe they are contrary to EU law. He is expected to take the first step against county development plans by officially requesting further information once the commissioners agree to the action at their weekly meeting today.