Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2004
33 Ms Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to recent claims from the Irish Rural Dwellers Association that British planners working for An Bord Pleanála may not possess appropriate training to adjudicate on planning appeals here; if the majority of one-off housing appeals are dealt with by non-national planners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27319/04]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála is a body established by statute under the Planning and Development Act 2000 which operates independently in performing its functions. Members are appointed on the basis of nominations involving 37 bodies.
An Bord Pleanála is required to make an independent determination of appeals on planning authority decisions. In dealing with an appeal, the board must consider all submissions on the file, together with the inspector's report and recommendation. The board reaches its own conclusion in each case, in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The board must also have regard to ministerial policy and guidelines, including the recently published draft Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines.
