Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 2

Written Answers. - An Bord Pleanála.

David Stanton

Question:

271 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the members of An Bord Pleanála; the way in which An Bord Pleanála is accountable to him, the Government and Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23156/97]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

An Bord Pleanála is an independent body established under statute and section 11 (5) of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1983 provides that the Board shall, subject to compliance with planning legislation, regulate its own procedure and business.

The members of An Bord Pleanála are Mr. Paddy O'Duffy (Chairman), Ms Ann Quinn (Deputy Chairman), Ms Margaret Byrne, Mr. Lewis Clohessy, Mr. Donough Murphy and Mr. Michael O'Connell.

Like other semi-State bodies, the board is required to submit its accounts, having first been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and an annual report to the appropriate Minister, in this case the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. These are then laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The board's 1996 annual report and accounts were recently laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

In addition, there are other specific provisions relating to the board. Under section 5 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1997, the board is obliged to keep itself informed of the policies and objectives of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, of planning authorities and of any other public authority whose functions have, or may have, a bearing on planning and development. Under section 7 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1982, the board must have regard to any general directives as to policy in relation to planning and development issued by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government under that section. Under section 7(3) of the 1982 Act and section 23 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1983, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government is prohibited from exercising any power or control in relation to particular cases with which the board may be concerned. However, under section 4 of the 1983 Act the Minister may consult with the board regarding,inter alia, the performance of its functions and to issue directions to the board in relation to reviews of its organisation, systems and procedures. Section 11 (5) (b) of the 1983 Act also enables the Minister to require the board to keep him informed of its arrangements for the regulation of its procedure and business.