IPI Planners Podcast

Infrastructure and housing delivery requires seamless coordination between public policy and local authority execution. We explore the transition from professional planning to senior local government leadership, focusing on how the Planning and Development Act 2024 empowers long-term development. We discuss the necessity of resourcing, the strategic importance of 10-year plans, and how to balance...

The planning system is often perceived as complex and adversarial, presenting barriers to development and public satisfaction. Success requires overcoming these challenges by embedding continuous improvement and promoting a culture where planners act as facilitators, not barriers. This episode explores the Department for Infrastructure’s (DFI) central role in setting strategic direction and its pr...

Planning today is shaped by major legislative reform, including the Planning and Development Act 2024 and the Critical Infrastructure Bill, climate and environmental obligations, and legal scrutiny. In this episode Deirdre Nagle, Partner and Head of the Planning and Environment Law team at Mason Hayes & Curran LLP, brings us up to date with these issues and discusses the need for planners to b...

The planning system in Ireland faces monumental pressure, demanding not only efficient decision-making but also the highest standards of trust and governance. The challenge of meeting mandatory timelines while navigating complex legal and environmental factors requires a focused strategic approach to reform. This episode explores the critical changes underway at An Coimisiún Pleanála and the leade...

The planning profession is facing unprecedented change. Immediate adaptation is demanded as urban environments are reshaped by climate pressures, technological disruption, and the urgent need for housing and infrastructure. This episode tackles these monumental challenges by sharing fresh thinking and practical perspectives on the way forward. The conversation explores major forces driving change:...

The transition to evidence-informed, data-driven planning is a professional necessity, yet many local authorities still face significant challenges in integrating and interpreting spatial data to meet national objectives.  The effective use of national data infrastructure, visualisation tools, and a new generation of digital skills is required to deliver complex housing, climate, and infrastructur...

The Irish planning system is navigating one of its most transformative periods, requiring professionals to rapidly implement complex legislative, policy, and institutional changes while tackling the urgent national housing and infrastructure crises. A managed, plan-led transition is essential to maintain a stable, functioning system as the new Planning and Development Act is rolled out alongside a...

December 2025 marks end of year celebrating Irish Planning Institute's 50th anniversary since founding in 1975 whilst also seeing the conclusion of the current Council term with a range of governance changes including the election of a reshaped Board of Directors. Gavin Lawlor, completing two year term as IPI President and Director at Tom Phillips Associates with extensive experience in developmen...

Kildare County Council manages nearly 50 settlements whilst doing some of Ireland's "heavy lifting" on housing delivery—but how do you scale that up when planning legislation transforms around you?  Amy Granville, Senior Planner leading forward planning and heritage, reveals how a 100-person team including Kildare County Council’s first ecologist and urban designer, tackles revised NPF targets thr...

Are you frustrated by delays in crucial climate action and infrastructure delivery? Planning and other consenting processes don't always align and run up against our urgent net-zero targets, leaving developers, communities, and environmentalists at loggerheads over how to balance environmental protection with climate emergency responses in ways that often come to a head in the planning system.   I...

In this episode, planning consultant John Spain reflects on over three decades shaping Ireland’s built environment — from the stagnation of the 1980s to the high-speed growth of the Celtic Tiger, and today’s complex challenges around housing, infrastructure, and viability. Host Seán O’Leary talks with Spain about founding his own practice, navigating major legislative shifts, and why timelines, tr...

What is really at the heart of Ireland’s housing crisis?  Dr Lorcan Sirr joins the Planners Podcast to challenge myths, question quick fixes, and explain why planning is more than just regulations, it’s about building quality communities that work for everyone.  From the pitfalls of modular homes to the realities of apartment living, Lorcan pulls no punches as he unpacks the policies, politics, an...

In a truly exclusive event, we're delighted to welcome Oonagh Buckley , Secretary General of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, for her very first podcast appearance! Oonagh shares invaluable insights into her department's critical work in shaping Ireland's sustainable future including Ireland's leadership in renewable energy integration, the exciting new frontiers in maritime...

The new 2024 Planning and Development Act marks a major turning point for how planning is done in Ireland—but what does implementing it actually look like in practice? Today, we’re diving into how the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) is preparing to implement the new Act—from reviewing plans, to more active oversight, and helping embed digital tools and innovation across the system. We also...

As the Planning and Development Act 2024 rolls out, professionals across the sector are asking whether the new legal framework truly delivers on efficiency, environmental protection, and judicial review.  Today, we dive into the tensions between reform and reality, and explore the implications for planners, developers, communities, and legal practitioners alike. We explore the challenges posed by...

Ireland’s planning system is undergoing a major transformation, but with a 906-page Planning and Development Act 2024, navigating these changes can feel overwhelming.  This episode breaks down the complexities and explores what the future holds for planning in Ireland. We examine the most significant updates, including streamlined development management, revised exempted development regulations, a...

Constantly evolving regulations and best practices can make it hard to plan. The April, the Irish Planning Institute launches a new podcast for professional planners working in government, private practice and others who want to be kept informed on changes in planning thought, law and practice. Our first episode breaks down the complexities of the new Planning Act and explores what the future hold...