Vol. 429 No. 6
133 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give his views on whether in the case of a third party appeal to An Bord Pleanála regarding a planning application, the appellant should be entitled to receive a copy of the reply that the developer gives in relation to that appeal as a matter of right; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An Bord Pleanála is required by section 7 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1992 to give a copy of any appeal to the other parties, who may then make submissions or observations within a one month period. Such submissions or observations are not transmitted automatically to the appellant, but An Bord Pleanála is empowered by section 9 of the 1992 Act to invite any person involved in an appeal to make further submissions on a matter which has arisen where it considers it appropriate in the interests of justice to do so. I am satisfied that this arrangement constitutes an appropriate and equitable balance between the dual requirements of fairness and efficiency in the operation of the planning appeals process.
