Vol. 486 No. 3
194 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department will introduce regulations restricting lakeside developments on a national basis in relation to current proposals for Lough Muckno, County Monaghan. [2377/98]
All development proposals, including lakeside developments, require planning permission unless they are specifically exempted under the Planning Acts and Regulations. Decisions to grant or to refuse planning permission are made by the relevant planning authority, and by An Bord Pleanála on appeal, in the light of the proper planning and development of the area, regard being had to the provisions of the development plan as adopted by the elected council. I have no plans to change these arrangements or to make regulations as proposed. As Minister for the Environment and Local Government, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any planning application or appeal.
