Vol. 531 No. 1
108 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider the introduction of detriments in planning legislation to safeguard against the appeals mechanism of An Bord Pleanála being abused for spurious and vexatious reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5060/01]
To prevent the unacceptable practice of using the planning appeals process to delay appeals, or even to extort money from developers, I have included a provision in the Planning and Development Act, 2000, to enable An Bord Pleanála to dismiss vexatious appeals or appeals taken with the sole intention of delaying development or of securing a payment to withdraw an appeal. Regulations are being prepared by my Department which will enable me to bring the development control provisions of the Act, including this provision, into force.
