Planning Issues
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-11
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John Cummins (FG), Waterford

It is being conducted on a precautionary basis. The Senator has said viability is key in apartment development. The Government recognises that, which is why we are introducing this national planning statement and why we introduced the guidance we brought in last year. If the Senator has suggestions around viability measures in relation to apartment development, he knows I am an approachable Minister of State and I am more than happy to hear those because that is a critical element if we are to get to the targets. I do not think we can have a position where we cannot change apartment standards and have active viability. We know from reports, which both of us examined at the joint committee on housing in the past, that there is a significant viability gap around apartment development. My job as Minister of State is to ensure we close that viability gap so we can get the homes that families and individuals need across the country. That is my job as a Minister of State and I hope I will have the support of the House in introducing these guidelines.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-11/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:03+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-11