Vol. 561 No. 4
443 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on a letter he has received from a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16; if it is his intention to have the alleged inconsistencies referred to investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4592/03]
The correspondence in question requests that I undertake an examination of decisions taken by South Dublin County Council and An Bord Pleanála on a number of planning applications and appeals.
Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, statutory responsibility for deciding planning applications is vested in each planning authority with full responsibility for deciding appeals vested in An Bord Pleanála. I have no function in relation to individual cases.
Under planning legislation the Minister for the Environment and Local Government may only intervene in the planning process in respect of heritage matters. This means that the Minister may comment on planning applications or appeals, or give expert advice to planning authorities or An Bord Pleanála, in relation to the protection of built and natural heritage. In all other circumstances the Minister is specifically precluded, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, from exercising any power or control in relation to a planning application or appeal with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
