Vol. 559 No. 1
418 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the powers he possesses to enforce planning regulations should local authorities be found not to be performing their duties satisfactorily. [25536/02]
Strong and visible enforcement is critical to ensuring that the planning control system works properly and for the benefit of the whole community. The changes in the 2000 Act are designed to encourage increased enforcement and more compliance by developers. I intend to keep performance by planning authorities in this area under review.
However, direct responsibility for ensuring compliance with planning permissions in individual cases is a matter for the relevant planning authority. The legislation has not therefore assigned powers to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to enforce planning permissions or conditions or to direct authorities to take action in individual cases.
