Irish Planning Reform with Steven Matthews

The Planning and Development Act 2024 represents one of the most significant reforms of Ireland’s planning system in a generation. As policymakers, practitioners and communities prepare for its full implementation, important questions remain about how planning can support housing delivery, infrastructure investment, environmental objectives and meaningful public participation.

In this episode, we discuss the evolution of the legislation, the realities of planning policymaking, and the opportunities and challenges associated with planning reform.

Steven Matthews joins the podcast as a former Green Party TD, former Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and current Stakeholder Engagement Manager with Iarnród Éireann, offering insights from both the policy and implementation perspectives.

Shape Future Episodes: Share your topic and guest suggestions for the podcast via our short listener feedback form.


GUEST DETAILS
Steven Matthews serves as Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Irish Rail and brings extensive public policy experience to the conversation. He previously served as a Green Party TD for Wicklow and chaired the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage during the preparation and passage of the Planning and Development Act 2024.

Connect with the Irish Planning Institute:

  • Website: ipi.ie
  • Podfollow: podfollow.com/ipi
  • Search podcast player: “IPI Planners Podcast”

The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.io

KEYWORDS

#PlanningAndDevelopmentAct #IrishPlanningPolicy #PlanningLawReform #RegionalPlanningStrategy