Midlands-North-West European election candidate Peter Casey has said Ireland’s national independent planning body “is only independent in name, and its excess red tape is having a detrimental impact on housing and our economy.”
The former Dragons’ Den panelist said, “An Bord Pleanála is not fit for purpose, and the appeals system needs a complete reset.
“It is beyond belief that Ireland is in the middle of a housing crisis, and somebody from Mizen Head can object to planning permission for a housing project in Malin Head for a mere €150 fee, bringing a much-needed housing project to a grinding halt for, on average, a year because An Bord Pleanála’s appeal system is backed up.
“It is almost as bad as the delays with the asylum seekers. You should only be allowed to appeal a housing project if you have a vested interest in the region.
“I speak from personal experience because I have been trying to build urgently needed homes in Donegal, which would bring much-needed jobs to the area and help young people get a foot onto the property ladder.
“But frivolous appeals have knocked the project back a year, and there is nothing to stop objectors from appealing appeals, which could set such projects back another year.
“Meanwhile, young John and Mary are still living at home with their parents or wasting dead money on rent.
“If I am elected as your MEP for Europe, I vow to go over to Brussels and rattle enough cages until enough pressure is put on the Irish government to ensure there is a common-sense approach to housing in Ireland. Otherwise, we are going to keep losing our young people who will emigrate, and it will be hard to get tradesmen to return to our shores as they leave in their droves because of all the red tape. This madness must stop.
I believe three things can be done to solve the housing crisis. The first is to abolish An Bord Pleanála, the second is to double height allowances on developments—for example, if it’s a four-story building, allow eight—and lastly, change the regulations regarding objections. You should only be able to object if you live within 5 km of the development. And you’re only allowed an objection for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, if you file an objection and lose, you have to pay the legal costs of the developer.
He emphasised, “Our young people are leaving Ireland in droves as they feel they will never be able to buy a house or even get a job. They do not feel they have a future. We need to introduce incentives to encourage our young people to come back home to Ireland. If elected, I will work hard to ensure that incentives are put in place to help make this happen.
“As a businessman, I believe that the most important role of a Member of the European Parliament is to help bring employment into the area and to stop jobs from leaving the country. In Ireland, 80% of the corporation taxes are paid by American multinationals. We need to be passionate and active about protecting this critical source of revenue and job creation in Ireland.
“I have been instrumental in bringing large multinationals to Ireland, and if elected to represent you, I will work hard to make sure that the large multinational employers in the area know that they are welcome in Ireland and that they can rely on me to help them further expand their Irish-based businesses into Europe. Attracting more jobs and preventing jobs from leaving rural Ireland will be my mission if elected.
“As a strong independent voice, I do not have to follow political party lines. I am encouraging people to vote Independent and to vote Peter Casey No. 1. I will make a difference if elected in the Midlands North West Constituency in June.”