Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
467. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding establishing the independent planning regulator's office; if he will indicate who the inspector will be; the remit of this role; the way members of the public may contact and meet with the inspector in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50333/13]
View answerIn 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 with 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.
On foot of the Government approved proposals, my Department is preparing 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. It is envisaged that the General Scheme of the Bill will be published before the end of March, 2014.
