asked the Minister for the Environment if it is his intention to introduce legislation to provide for a four month, or some other defined time limit, for determining a planning appeal; and, if so, when this will be introduced.
Written Answers. - Planning Legislation.
47.
In the interests of both developers and the general public I am anxious that all planning appeals be dealt with in as short a time as possible. However, the imposition of an absolute time limit on An Bord Pleanála without safeguards to deal with extreme cases could give rise to a challenge in the courts on constitutional grounds. I am at present examining all the options open to me including new legislation with a view to having all but the most exceptional cases dealt with in four months. I am not yet in a position to say finally what method or combination of methods I will use to achieve this objective.