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Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Questions (439)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

439. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the role of the newly announced Planning Regulator; if there will be a clear and transparent method of appointment; if he intends to publicly advertise for the position to be appointed by him; the salary the position will command; the term length of the appointment; the frequency with which a person may be re-appointed to the position; if he envisages any further delay in An Bord Pleanála applications as a result of a secondment of staff to support the new Planning Regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22526/13]

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Written answers

In line with the recommendation contained in the Final Report of the Mahon Tribunal, the Government approved proposals for the preparation of a new Planning and Development Bill at its meeting on 7 May 2013 to establish a new Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR). The primary function of the OPR, which will be established as an independent corporate identity, will be to carry out independent appraisal of regional and local level statutory plans prepared and adopted under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, namely, development plans, local area plans, regional planning guidelines etc.  The OPR will also be mandated to carry out the research, training and education roles identified by the Mahon Tribunal.  The Planning Regulator will advise the Minister on the content of the plans and where appropriate provide advice that all or part of a plan should be amended or rejected (through a Ministerial Direction) and the advice of the OPR will be published.  The OPR will also have investigative powers to examine, inter alia , possible systemic failings in the planning system, again taking account of the recommendation of the Mahon Tribunal in this regard.

While it is envisaged that the OPR would be staffed and resourced, in so far as possible, by staff taken on secondment or on a permanent basis from An Bord Pleanála, it will remain a priority for the Bord to fulfil its statutory functions. On foot of the Government approved proposals, my Department will now prepare a General Scheme of a new Planning and Development Bill giving consideration to the detailed issues to be addressed including those raised in the question.

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