A couple in southwest Dublin have been granted permission to retain their external insulation after they had been told by the council that it was in breach of planning conditions six years after they installed it.
Clive and Samantha Ryan installed external insulation to their home in Kilnamanagh in an effort to tackle their high energy bills.
They said they were in "total shock" when before Christmas last year, they were notified by South Dublin County Council that their external insulation is in breach of planning conditions and that they must remove it by June or face a fine or imprisonment.
However last week the family said the council published the decision saying their application for retention of the work has been granted.
They say they're delighted that the issue has been resolved and they no longer face a fine, imprisonment or having to remove the work which cost €16,000.
Mark Lynch, Green Party local area representative, said that while the news is welcome, "it's ludicrous that Clive Ryan, looking to improve the heating efficiency of his home, had to apply for planning permission in the first place".
He said that retrofitting saves homeowners significantly on the cost of heating, and that is why his party is calling for an exemption on planning permission to retrofit homes and specific grants to encourage neighbours to retrofit together.
"We need to make it as easy as possible for people to retrofit their homes," Mr Lynch added.
People Before Profit-Solidarity said they are putting forward proposals to change the laws to give clarity to whether people need planning permission to install external wall insulation
The party said their short and simple bill proposed an exemption from planning permission for most external insulation except on a protected structure of in areas of architectural conservation.
Local Cllr Jess Spear, who helped highlight the issue facing the Ryan family, said it was not right that a family were being punished for doing the right thing.
Local TD Paul Murphy said he believes there is a "flaw" in the current laws that needs to be rectified.
