The Council of the Irish Planning Institute is meeting on 1st October 2014 to celebrate fifty years since the commencement of the Republic’s 1963 Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 on 1st October 1964. 

Discussing the anniversary of the legislation IPI President Mary Hughes said “The legislation’s commencement, known as “the October revolution” by some, was in a time of significant social and economic change similar to today. Although it is often misunderstood and misinterpreted, the modern planning system put in place in 1964 was to promote growth alongside attractive environments.  The Institute wants to ensure that Ireland has a planning system that is fit for purpose and appropriate to guide development for the next fifty years. We await publication of new planning legislation promised by the Department of Environment Community and Local Government particularly relating to the establishment of a new Independent Planning Regulator (a key recommendation arising out of the Mahon Tribunal).  The Institute believes that such legislation is absolutely necessary to support today’s modern planning system ensuring transparency, confidence and above all appropriate growth alongside attractive environments”.