Vol. 576 No. 6
250 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if he will review the performance of local authorities with regard to their obligations under the 2001 planning and development regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30254/03]
Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, statutory responsibility for the operation of the planning code, that is, the processing of planning applications, is vested in each planning authority, with full responsibility for deciding appeals vested in An Bord Pleanála. Local authorities are independent statutory bodies and, while they operate within a framework of legislation and statutory regulations, they are not subject as a general rule to direction or sanction by the Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in specific matters.
However, where complaints are made to my Department regarding failure to meet statutory requirements the matter is normally brought to the attention of management at local level. In addition, my Department is also working with planning authorities through the formal consultation mechanism established with the City and County Managers Association with a view to improving their performance on planning matters. My Department is also currently reviewing the operation of planning regulations to ensure that they achieve their aim of improving the efficiency of the planning system.
