The Government will bypass local authorities and directly zone land for housing if councils continue to resist increasing land supply, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned.
Mr Martin launched a sharp attack on county council chief executives who are failing to rezone land for housing development, describing their approach as showing “a degree of inertia and lack of productivity.” He confirmed the Government would intervene directly where councils refuse to act.
“We’re finding that many councils are dragging their feet on this. I’ve spoke to a number of [council] CEOs and I’ve told them that if they’re not going to do it, Government will do it directly,” Mr Martin said. “I can’t comprehend how people are de-zoning land that is suitable for housing and we are running out of patience.”
The warning follows reports that Wicklow County Council is proposing to dezone land expected to deliver 3,000 new homes, a move that left the Taoiseach “shocked” and prompted confirmation of Government intervention in such cases.
In July, Housing Minister James Browne instructed local authorities to reopen their development plans and increase land zoned for housing. The National Planning Framework requires enough land to accommodate 55,000 homes annually, with 50% additional headroom permitting land for up to 83,000 homes per year.
Speaking at the Fianna Fáil think-in in Cork, Mr Martin emphasized the housing crisis facing young people paying “excessive prices for housing.” He argued that rezoning should not depend on existing infrastructure, stating this could “come afterwards if necessary.”
The Taoiseach confirmed he would meet with Minister Browne and council executives to “really drive this message home.”
Mr Martin also outlined Government plans to overhaul judicial reviews, citing the recent challenge to the Greater Dublin Drainage Project as “not acceptable.” He stressed that without adequate water supply and wastewater treatment, housing development cannot proceed.