Association of Irish Local Government

Lobbying Organisation Association of Irish Local Government

Date published 04 Jan, 2017

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Local Government

Period 1 Sep, 2016 to 31 Dec, 2016

Specific Details The Association sought amendment to the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016

Intended results The Bill as initially published provided that planning applications for 100 houses or more might go to An Bord Pleanala for decision and not be adjudicated on by the local authority (the planning authority). The Association was concerned that this process would reduce the role of the local authority as a planning body. The AILG sought amendment to the Bill that would give the planning authority members the facility to be notified and express a view on any such applications.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Liam Kenny, Director. Cllr Damien Geoghegan, Vice President.

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Cllr Damien Geoghegan (Currently employed as a DPO) Councillor (Waterford City and County Council)

Cllr John Crowe (Currently employed as a DPO) Councillor (Clare County Council)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Councillors

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Cllr Damien Geoghegan, Vice-President; Cllr John Crowe, Past President; and Mr Liam Kenny, Director met with Minister Simon Coveney, T.D. on 23 November 2016 to discuss the AILGs concerns which were substantially met by the Minister in his proposals to amend the Bill to give Councillors a right of notification and consultation in relation to applications processed in accordance with the proposed legislation.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Simon Coveney Minister (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)