Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 5

Written Answers. - Planning Issues.

Jerry Cowley

Ceist:

426 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to change the planning laws making it a criminal offence to submit hoax letters of objection to planning applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29980/03]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen):

Regulations made under the Planning and Development Act 2000 provide that any person or body, on payment of the prescribed fee, may make a submission or observation in writing to a planning authority in relation to a planning application within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Any submission or observation received must state the name, address, telephone number and e-mail address, if any, of the person or body making the submission or observation, and indicate the address to which any correspondence relating to the application should be sent. All such submissions must be acknowledged in writing by the planning authority. This procedure should facilitate planning authorities in identifying and discussing any hoax submissions. I have no proposals for amendment of these provisions.