IPI Planners Podcast

About IPI Planners Podcast

For professional planners in Ireland working in government, private practice and others who want to be kept informed on changes in planning thought, law and practice.

Publisher

Irish Planning Institute

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Apr 2025

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

20 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   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. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT - Background and career path in planning and politics - The legislative journey of the planning reform bill - Managing intense committee stages and massive amendments - Addressing judicial review and community participation balances - Integrating strategic rail review with spatial planning objectives 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. During his tenure, he oversaw the rigorous drafting and committee scrutiny of major Irish planning legislation. PODCAST HOST DETAILS Dr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning. With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast."  As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession. ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTE The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues. https://ipi.ie/ The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.io QUOTES - That was a colossal piece of legislation. It nearly broke the system. - Steven Matthews - Planning is probably the most important thing for our county: planning, transport, housing, and you know, climate environment measures. - Steven Matthews - Planners make decisions based on policy and guidelines that emanate from this house. - Steven Matthews KEYWORDS: #PlanningAndDevelopmentAct #IrishPlanningPolicy #PlanningLawReform #RegionalPlanningStrategy #StrategicRailReview

2. 

   7 Sept 2026

   Regional Planning: Strategy and Growth

   Shape Future Episodes: Share your topic and guest suggestions for the podcast via our short listener feedback form (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=quDxRfpjeEiJeTfORubt2LK1hOMH9ylIo1ZJBfjguzdUOE1LTlZZOUhMRkYwTkZQN0JXQjNaVzBFWC4u&route=shorturl). Achieving balanced regional development depends on aligning national policy with regional and local priorities and ensuring effective delivery on the ground. In this episode, Tanya Whyte MIPI, Assistant Director and Senior Planner with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, joins host Dr Seán O'Leary MIPI to discuss the role of regional planning in shaping sustainable growth and investment. At a time of significant legislative change, evolving regional population targets and the need to embed ambitious national climate action commitments in regional and local policy, Tanya explores how regional planning can translate national ambitions into practical outcomes. Drawing on more than 30 years' experience across local authority planning, enterprise development and regional planning, she reflects on the challenges and opportunities involved in delivering balanced and sustainable growth across Ireland. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Career transitions from local authority to regional assembly Strategic coordination roles of Irish regional assemblies Translating the national planning framework into local development plans Balancing rural population growth and urban development targets Designing smart regional policy objectives for effective monitoring GUEST DETAILS Tanya Whyte is the Assistant Director for Planning and Economic Development at the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, where she leverages over 27 years of public sector expertise to drive strategic spatial policy. An accomplished spatial planner, Tanya possesses exceptional diversity across statutory planning, economic development, and strategic corporate leadership, notably establishing a comprehensive property section and authoring a local authority’s first Renewable Energy Strategy. Her commitment to the profession is evidenced by her service on the Irish Planning Institute Council and her dedication to mentorship through the delivery of planning fundamentals training. QUOTES Looking at regional planning and planning for a large region, key opportunities are that we can plan for integrated infrastructure because they're generally cross-border. - Tanya Whyte At the end of the day, our regional policy objectives are critical. - Tanya Whyte It's the implementation and monitoring that's critical. - Tanya Whyte PODCAST HOST DETAILS Dr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is CEO at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning. With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast." Professionals and enthusiasts alike seeking to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland. As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession. Find out more: https://ipi.ie/ ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTE The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues. Find out more: https://ipi.ie/ The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.io KEYWORDS: #RegionalSpatialAndEconomicStrategy #PlanningAct2024Reform #RegionalRenewableEnergyTargets #BalancedRegionalDevelopmentIreland

3. 

   3 Aug 2026

   Planning for Water

   Infrastructure projects often languish in complex, sequential consenting processes that stall housing and economic development. Planners and utility providers face an uphill battle to align long-term strategic needs with immediate construction requirements. This episode explores the integrated approach of Uisce Éireann and the critical role of early engagement and cross-agency collaboration in building resilient communities. Joining us is Olwyn James, the Senior Planning, Land, and Utilities Manager at Uisce Éireann. She draws on over two decades of experience in local authority planning and architectural conservation to explain the realities of managing national infrastructure delivery. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT Uisce Éireann infrastructure delivery and planning system integration Addressing decades of under-investment in critical water assets Complex consenting regimes and the need for reform Early engagement strategies between agencies and developers The importance of high-quality design in utility infrastructure GUEST DETAILS Olwyn James serves as the Senior Planning, Land, and Utilities Manager at Uisce Éireann. With a career spanning over 20 years, she has transitioned from local authority planning and architectural conservation into her current role leading complex infrastructure delivery. Her work focuses on navigating consenting regimes, national infrastructure delivery, and strategic site acquisition. QUOTES Planning might be a little bit narrow in its thinking, and maybe people who go into planning it could really do with a dose of healthy diversity. - Olwyn James There is a responsibility across the board around thinking what is it we want, what is our policy directive here, what are our objectives, what's the plan. - Olwyn James "I think the system as a whole needs to improve in how it's communicating with applicants around what are the steps, what is happening, what's going to happen next. - Olwyn James PODCAST HOST DETAILS Dr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning. With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast." Professionals and enthusiasts alike seeking to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland. As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession. Find out more: https://ipi.ie/ ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTE The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues. Find out more: https://ipi.ie/ The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.io KEYWORDS #IrishInfrastructure #DeliveryPlanning #WaterInfrastructure #UisceÉireann #PlanningReform

Who has been a guest on IPI Planners Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Amy Granville
• John Spain
• Dr Lorcan Sirr
• Oonagh Buckley
• Niall Cussen

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 16 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

32

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact IPI Planners Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  The Business Post Podcast

• 

  Inside Politics

• 

  Path to Power

• 

  The Other Hand

• 

  The David McWilliams Podcast

• 

  Indo Sport

Questions about IPI Planners Podcast