asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any proposals for greater and more meaningful involvement by the public in the planning and development of their environments; and if he considers a greater role could be and should be created in this process for the local public who bear the major impact of the evolution of planning policy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planning Policy.
30.
The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, is the principal legislation governing the area of physical planning and development. This legislation has recently been reviewed and amended by the provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1976. I consider that the existing legislation makes reasonable provision for public participation in the planning process and I have no immediate proposals to amend this legislation. Apart from the fact that draft development plans must be publicised and that any objections or representations must be considered by the planning authority, the public have the advantage that any person may appeal against the decision of a planning authority on any development proposal for which permission is sought. These provisions enable the public to have a very meaningful involvement in the planning and development of their environments.
Does the Minister agree that the role which the public have to play is a purely negative one according to his reply? Is it not purely obstructionist in the sense that it involves appeals only? Would the Minister consider ways and means of involving local organisations at a much earlier stage and in a much more positive way? These organisations might like to be invited to have a say in the kind of development and planning which would have a great bearing on their community and their locality?
They have a say. They can object at local level apart from appealing later to An Bord Pleanála. It is open to them to do so as it is for any individual.
I accept that, but would the Minister in the future be agreeable to involving them in a much more positive role than just objecting. which is purely negative?
Surely the local authorities have this function. It is they who are responsible for the planning.
It is up to the Minister to provide the structures.
The structures are already there.