Members of An Bord Pleanála are appointed under section 106 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. There are currently nine members of the board; a new member is due to be appointed from 4 April 2005. A list of members is set out in the table below:
Membership
|
Date of Current Appointment
|
Mr. John O’Connor, chairperson
|
6 May 2000
|
Mr. Brian Hunt, deputy chairperson
|
21 November 2001
|
Ms Margaret Byrne
|
6 February 2005
|
Mr. Michael Wall
|
November 2001
|
Ms Angela Tunney
|
7 November 2001
|
Ms Berna Grist
|
1 October 2001
|
Mr. Brian Swift
|
3 December 2001
|
Ms Jane Doyle
|
1 January 2005
|
Mr. Karl Kent
|
1 January 2002.
|
Ordinary members are appointed from among persons selected by prescribed organisations set out at article 64 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The organisations represent a wide range of interests to give a balanced group of people with diverse backgrounds who can reach a balanced view on the issues with which the board would be concerned. In addition, the 2000 Act sets down specific procedures for the appointment of the chairperson and one ordinary member to be appointed from among the officers of the Minister who are established civil servants for the purposes of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956.
The term of office of the chairperson is seven years. However, the incumbent may be reappointed by the Government for a second or subsequent term. The Minister may specify the term of office of an ordinary member but this term may not exceed five years. An ordinary member may be reappointed for a second or subsequent term of office.
Section 108 of the 2000 Act provides that a quorum for a meeting of the board consists of not less than three members. Section 112 of the 2000 Act further provides that, for the speedy dispatch of the business of the board, the board may act by divisions which consist of not less than three members. However, where the chairperson considers an appeal or referral to be of particular complexity or significance, he or she may transfer it to a meeting of all available members of the board.