asked the Minister for Local Government if objectors to applications for planning permission are notified when refusals by the local planning authority are appealed to his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planning Appeals.
39.
There is no general practice to this effect. However, the current practice of my Department in dealing with appeals is to ask the planning authority for copies of any objections made to them in connection with the application for planning permission; where appropriate these objections are taken into consideration in the determination of the appeal.
Can the Minister say if this happened in the case of the appeal in connection with the site on the Crumlin Road?
That is a separate question.
The Minister says it happens. Did it happen on that occasion?
Did what happen?
Did the Minister's Department seek the names and addresses of the objectors to the outline planning permission in the case of the Crumlin Road Moracrete site?
In the case of that planning appeal only one written objection was received by Dublin Corporation and we were aware of that. The objector was informed that the application had been decided and they were also informed of the right of the person who made the application to appeal to the Minister.
Will that be done in future?
It is up to each objector——
How can they know if they do not know the appeal is being taken?
I intend to suggest to each local authority that they should inform persons who lodge objections to planning appeals of the decisions, which they make, and also that if an appeal is made the objector should be informed. We cannot do that from the Department because we cannot take sides in planning appeals.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
This needs to be clarified.
The Minister is explaining it.
It is very difficult to speak when Deputies keep interrupting. If the Deputy wants me to go over it again I will do so. I am asking each local authority to inform objectors to planning applications when a decision has been taken and the nature of that decision and also to inform the objectors when an appeal has been lodged against that decision in order to enable them to pursue their opposition to the application with the Minister.
May I ask the Minister would the Department——
Would the Deputy allow questions to continue? The Deputy has had three supplementaries on one question. There are other Deputies awaiting answers.
I am asking the Minister——
I am asking the Deputy to sit down. Question No. 40.