Vol. 504 No. 7
261 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to amend the planning legislation in order that a planning appeal to An Bord Pleanála must be decided by the full membership of the board rather than just one member; and if he will comment on the existing practice. [13009/99]
The quorum for a meeting of An Bord Pleanála under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1983, is three. When a decision is made by the members attending a meeting of the board, one of the members present will sign the decision. The board's procedures are such that no single person can ensure what the board's decision will be in a particular appeal.
Most decisions are taken by a board meeting consisting of three members. It is a matter for the chairman of the board to decide whether a meeting of all members of the board is necessary where a particularly complex or sensitive case is involved. Last year 4,548 appeals were received by the board and it would clearly be inefficient to require that the full board should decide each appeal. Therefore I have no plans to amend the planning legislation as suggested by the Deputy.
