Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2007
986 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the right of a group (details supplied) to have at least one member on the board of An Bord Pleanála, in view of the fact that 33% of the population is rural and that this group is entitled to proportionate representation on an Bord Pleanála. [34132/07]
View answerThe procedures for the appointment of ordinary members of An Bord Pleanála are set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended by Sections 14-16 of the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006. In addition, Article 11 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2006 amended the list of prescribed bodies for the purposes of making nominations to the Board and the Irish Rural Dwellers Association are now included on the list. I am satisfied that the current nomination and appointment processes are fair and transparent. Furthermore, as the legislative provisions underpinning these processes have only recently been endorsed by the Oireachtas, I have no proposals to make any further amendments at this time.
