Darragh O'Brien: Our planning laws must keep pace with change

Ireland has changed dramatically. We must deliver the planning legislation a 21st-century Ireland needs, writes Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien

Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien: 'As the new planning legislation moves through the committee stage, Opposition hypocrisy is evident. With one side of their mouth, they decry the housing emergency while with the other they seek to delay this critical legislation at every juncture.' File photo: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

At the turn of the century when the last major Planning Bill was being debated, Ireland was a different place. 

The population was just 3.8 million people. You could buy a pint of Guinness for three punts and Tony Cascarino was escorted off the pitch by riot police after a heated end to a European Championship match.