They say it's causing delays in applications.
County councils must be allowed to take the lead with planning applications, according to Sinn Féin.
Laois-Offaly TD Brian Stanley says it's frustrating to see local authorities being bypassed and applications taken to An Bord Pleanála instead.
He says it's leading to major backlogs in the planning process, at a time when we desperately need to free up more land for housing.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Stanley also called for local authorities to implement the Vacant Site Levy more vigorously:
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