Ninth Level Ireland

“More student accommodation spaces have been granted permission this year than any other type of housing under the ‘fast track’ planning system, according to a new report from An Bord Pleanála. Under the Strategic Housing Development system applications for schemes of more than 100 homes, or blocks of 200 student or co-living spaces, are made directly to the board, bypassing the local authority decision phase …” (more)

[Olivia Kelly, Irish Times, 3 August]

“Sir, – It is now 40 years since the 1979 referendum on Seanad Éireann elections was passed by 92% of the electorate. It meant that legislation could be developed to extend voting rights on the university panels to all graduates of higher education. In four decades, no political action has been taken …” (more)

[Laura Harmon, Irish Times, 3 August]

“A mayor has criticised so-called ‘rainbow housing’ at a leading university as an ‘over-the-top retrograde step’. Earlier this month, the University of Limerick (UL) unveiled plans to provide on-campus accommodation exclusively for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning or intersex (LGBTQ) …” (more)

[Independent, 2 August]