Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2023
125. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of marine and environmental expertise in An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25069/23]
View answer126. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of biodiversity expertise in An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25070/23]
View answerAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie .
In order to assist the Deputy, my Department obtained the information requested by the Deputy from An Bord Pleanála.
An Bord Pleanála have advised the following regarding the level of marine and environmental expertise in An Bord Pleanála:
• A number of An Bord Pleanála's Inspectorate staff have qualifications in Coastal Zone Management and staff are continually being trained in this area which includes recent field trips to the Marine Institute.
• An Bord Pleanála have recently completed a process to engage specialists in Marine and Climate to be utilised on a case-by-case basis. The consultant’s role was advertised in Ireland, the UK, Scandinavia and Holland. The process was to engage specialists across the full breadth of disciplines involved in Marine and Climate Planning.
• An Bord Pleanála will be advertising for two in-house specialists in this area during Q3 once they have finalised the nature of these roles.
An Bord Pleanála have advised the following regarding the level of biodiversity expertise in An Bord Pleanála;
• An Bord Pleanála currently employs an in-house Ecologist on a full-time basis.
• A number of An Bord Pleanála's in-house staff have qualifications in Environmental Protection and Assessment.
• An Bord Pleanála have a number of specialist consultants who are engaged on case-by-case basis across a range of disciplines on biodiversity and Environmental matters.
