Vol. 436 No. 4
148 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, as a result of changes in the planning laws, many groups are concerned that they can no longer see other appeals which are being lodged, that oral hearings are fewer and, in the event of such a hearing being refused, the fee is not returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Where An Bord Pleanála receives more than one appeal against a planning authority's decision on a planning application, it gives each appellant a copy of each of the other appeals. It is a matter for the board to decide, by reference to the circumstances of the particular case, whether there should be an oral hearing of an appeal. The fee for requesting an oral hearing is a contribution towards the cost which the board incurs in considering the request. I have no proposals to require the refund of this fee where the board decides that it would not be appropriate to hold a hearing.
