Building standards and good planning must not be compromised in a rush to push through planning applications, according to a Sinn Féin TD.

Mr Eoin Ó Broin, spokesperson on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, said that while he welcomed the Housing Minister's urgency to develop new homes throughout Ireland, there should be no trade-off between increasing housing supply and ensuring good quality planning and building.

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He said: "Across the state, people are living with the consequences of bad planning decisions and poor enforcement of building regulations. We still do not have a building regulation regime that is fit for purpose, ensures high quality construction and strong consumer protection.

"It is also important that consultation with local residents continues, as strong local input at the earliest stages of planning results in better planning applications and outcomes. Sinn Féin will not support any measure which limits local communities' ability to fully participate in the planning process.

"The onus to expedite house building should not just fall on local authorities. The Department must ensure that local councils have all the resources and expertise necessary available to them to order to the level of house building required underway."

(CD/LM)