I am aware of the recent judgment referred to. While it would be inappropriate at this stage to comment directly on a case that may yet be the subject of an appeal, it is important that standards and practices of administration should be continuously improved across all planning authorities. The draft development management guidelines, which I published recently for public consultation, are intended to underpin that process.
The guidelines emphasise that planning administration should be governed by the principles of natural justice and fair procedures, including the need to avoid bias or vested interests, to observe procedural fairness, to provide reasons for decisions and to demonstrate consistency. The draft guidelines also underline that to ensure the achievement of good practice in the planning service provided by their organisations, it is primarily the responsibility of the manager and the appropriate director of service. I expect this responsibility to be punctiliously observed by local authority management and that the necessary safeguards are put in place within councils to ensure that high standards are uniformly applied.
My Department will study the judgment closely with a view to possible strengthening of the guidelines now in draft in relation to the above issues.
