Billy Timmins
Ceist:347 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the composition of an Bord Pleanála; the qualifications of each member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20145/01]
Written Answers. - An Bord Pleanála.
The information requested is set out in the following table. The board currently has a membership of ten, including the chairman. One of the posts is vacant and arrangements are in train to fill the vacancy. Ordinary members are appointed for a five year term or until they reach the age of 65 years.
The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1983, as amended, provides for a permanent board membership of six. However, because of the ongoing increase in the number of appeals to the board, the number of board members was increased to ten on a temporary basis until 6 November 2001, pursuant to section 1 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1998.
The Planning and Development Act, 2000, when operative in this respect, will provide for a permanent complement of eight board members, including the chairperson. It also provides for the appointment of additional ordinary members to the board where the Minister for the Environment and Local Government is of the opinion that the number of cases being received by the board is at such a level that it necessitates the appointment of one or more additional board members in order for the board to fulfil it statutory duty and objective. Regulations giving effect to these provisions of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, are being prepared.
The chairman of the board is appointed for a seven year term by Government from among a list of candidates recommended by a statutory selection committee, established in accordance with the provisions of section 5 of the 1983 Act. The appointment of ordinary members of the board is governed by section 7 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1983, as amended by section 1(b) of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1998. One appointment as an ordinary member of An Bord Pleanála is made by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government from among the officers of the Minister who are established civil servants. Other appointments as ordinary members of the board are made by the Minister from among persons nominated by organisations on panels which are prescribed as being representative of a number of interests, namely, physical planning and development, the environment and amenities, economic development and construction industry and social, economic and general interests.
The following is the table.
|
Name |
Panel Appointed From: |
Qualifications |
|
Mr. John O'Connor (Chairman) |
Government Appointment on recommendation of Selection Committee |
Former Assistant Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Local Government |
|
Dr. Anne Quinn (Deputy Chairman) |
Social, Economic and General Interests Panel |
Botanist/Conservationist |
|
Ms Margaret Byrne |
Officer of the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Section 7(2)(e) of the 1983 Act) |
Principal Officer, Department of the Environment and Local Government |
|
Mr. Lewis Clohessy |
Environment and Amenities Panel |
Electrical Engineer |
|
Mr. Brian Hunt |
Planning and Development Panel |
Senior Engineer (Planning) |
|
Mr. Derek Maynard |
Economic Development and Construction Industry Panel |
Engineer |
|
Ms Rosalind Nixon |
Environment andAmenities Panel |
Senior Planner |
|
Ms Angela Tunney |
Economic Development and Construction Industry Panel |
Architect |
|
Mr. Michael Wall |
Social, Economic and General Interests Panel |
Architect |