Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has raised concerns about the impact housing appeals are having on the delivery of new homes during discussions at the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Questioning senior officials from An Coimisiún Pleanála, Deputy Cooney highlighted figures showing that 78 large-scale residential development (LRD) appeals were lodged in 2025.
Officials confirmed to the committee that all appeals were decided within the statutory 16-week timeline.
Deputy Cooney welcomed the improvement in decision times compared to previous years but said the number of appeals remained a concern during the ongoing housing crisis.
“In fairness to An Coimisiún Pleanála, getting these appeals processed within 16 weeks is a major improvement on where things were in the past,” said Deputy Cooney.
“There was a time when applicants and communities were left waiting far too long for decisions, so the progress that has been made deserves recognition.”
However, Deputy Cooney said the high number of appeals was continuing to slow down housing delivery.
“We are in the middle of a housing crisis and it is disappointing to see such a large number of developments being delayed through the appeals process,” he said.
The committee heard that concerns raised in appeals often related to density, building height, traffic, environmental issues and pressure on local infrastructure.
Deputy Cooney also questioned how many appeals were ultimately successful. Officials confirmed that only seven of the 78 appeals in 2025 resulted in refusals, with the remaining developments granted approval.
“When the vast majority of these developments are eventually approved, it does raise serious questions about the delays being caused to badly needed housing projects,” Deputy Cooney said.
“People absolutely have a right to appeal planning decisions and have their concerns heard, but we also need to ensure housing delivery is not being unnecessarily held up at a time when families across Clare and the country are struggling to find homes.”
Responding to Deputy Cooney, Chief Executive Officer of An Coimisiún Pleanála, Peter Mullan, said the organisation remained committed to dealing with appeals within the statutory timeline.
“Our commitment is to get those through the organisation in 16 weeks. There have certainly been delays in those 16 weeks but if at the end of that period there is certainty in relation to the issue and the issue has been resolved, we feel we have done our job well, but I take the Deputy’s point,” Mr. Mullan said.
Deputy Cooney said it was important that planning decisions continue to be made efficiently while maintaining public confidence in the planning system.