RIAI calls on the next Government to prioritise housing, planning and a sustainable built environment in advance of General Election 2024

We have published the RIAI Election Manifesto in advance of the General Election on 29 November. 

The Manifesto sets out six actions which call on the next Government to ensure a better built environment is secured for all and election housing commitments are delivered.

Adoption of the actions contained within the RIAI Manifesto by the incoming Government will be vital to the delivery of housing targets and are consistent with the draft revised National Planning Framework and the stated priorities of the President of the EU Commission to reduce bureaucracy.

The RIAI is calling on the next Government to:

1. Replace Ireland’s current approach to planning with a proactive and integrated vision that embraces architectural and planning expertise and utilising 3D technology.
2. Resource Local Authorities and State Agencies with vital architectural and urban design leadership expertise and remove uncertainties in the planning process, as recommended in the RIAI Planning Initiatives document.
3. Review the procurement and public works contract systems to deliver efficiencies and reduce unproductive bureaucracies.
4. Commit to fully funding local feasibility studies and retrofitting pilot schemes with a strong emphasis on meeting Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requirements for zero emissions in public buildings by 2028 and all buildings by 2030.
5. Commit to multi-annual funding for Ireland’s National Policy on Architecture, Places for People.
6. Provide free access to vital Building Standards to all Registered Architects. These vital documents are essential to deliver quality, safe buildings and are currently a prohibitive cost on small business. This is a matter of public safety.

Sean Mahon, RIAI President said:

“This election is a critical one for the future of our country. Although our economy is strong, we face many challenges as a society, and we need to ensure that our next Government is prepared to address these issues.

The formation of the next Government will dictate not just whether our people can live in affordable accommodation, but whether they have homes that are environmentally sustainable and resilient, pleasant to live in and close to amenities, services and public transport.

With the projected population growth, the next Government will face significant challenges. There may be a temptation to merely ‘build faster’ – our central message in this manifesto is that the next Government must also ‘build better’.

Building a Better Future means designing and delivering a high-quality and sustainable built environment, not just for the next five, but for next 50 to 70 years.”