Vol. 423 No. 5
89 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to provide for the return of fees paid to An Bord Pleanála for the purpose of seeking an oral hearing when an oral hearing is refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The fee paid to An Bord Pleanála in respect of a request for an oral hearing is a contribution towards the costs the board incurs in considering, by reference to all the circumstances of the case, whether a hearing should be held. I have no proposals to require the refund of this fee where the board decides that it would not be appropriate to hold an oral hearing.
