Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2023
134. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the mandate, statutory standing of the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board with regard to advising government on planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25098/23]
View answer135. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the current membership of the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board; if he will provide details of appointments to the DAAAB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25099/23]
View answerFollowing the introduction of the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1997, the independent Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board (DAAAB) was established to consider appeals against unsuccessful objections relating to the designation of Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Natural Heritage Areas in Ireland, and to make recommendations to the Minister following its deliberations. As Minister, I take account of such recommendations when coming to a final decision on each appeal. The DAAAB is non-statutory and has no role in the planning process.
The members who hear appeals are selected from two panels, with at least one member from each panel required to form a quorum. Currently, members of the panels are nominated by specified bodies as set out below. The panels may, if required by me, as Minister, be extended as may be required to ensure that there is an adequate pool of available members at any given time to facilitate the scheduling of hearings without undue delays.
The Landowners/Users/Producers Panel comprises two members nominated by the following bodies:
• The Irish Farmers Association, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation.
• The Conservation Organisations Panel comprises two members are nominated by the Environmental Pillar and drawn from organisations participating in the Pillar. Frequent representatives are from organisations such as BirdWatch Ireland, Coastwatch Ireland and the Irish Peatland Conservation Council.
The Chair is appointed by me, as Minister, and there may be more than one Chairperson appointed at any one time to facilitate the hearing of appeals. There are currently two chairpersons. Mr Denis Daly, chairs in relation to appeals against Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), and Ms Ciana Campbell, chairs regarding appeals against Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
The Board also has available to it an independent Scientific Adviser to assist in the interpretation of scientific reports, data, etc. and is provided with secretarial services by my Department as appropriate.
Membership of the Board is not full time, rather the Boards meets as often as is necessary to complete its work.
