Vol. 540 No. 2
235 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of observations and objections which were forwarded to Clare County Council by the heritage service of her Department in relation to planning applications in 1999, 2000 and to date in 2001; the number of these which were subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20377/01]
Planning applications are the responsibility of the planning authorities – generally the relevant county council – and An Bord Pleanála in accordance with the planning and development Acts. The only role that my Department has in such matters arises where concerns exist about the impact of proposed developments on the built and natural heritage. In such cases, Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, makes observations or objections, as appropriate, to the relevant planning authority. The number of objections submitted by Dúchas to Clare County Council was 21, 17 and one in 1999, 2000 and 2001 to date, respectively. The number of appeals subsequently submitted to An Bord Pleanála in the same periods was three, five and nil, respectively. As the Deputy will under stand, submissions by Dúchas are only one element considered by the relevant authorities during the planning process. In all cases, the final decision on each individual planning application rests with the planning authority or An Bord Pleanála, as appropriate.
