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Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (538, 539, 540)

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

539 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to hold an external review of planning practices in Dublin City Council in view of the number of applications overturned by An Bord Pleanála. [26217/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niall Collins

Ceist:

564 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the current status of planning enquiries into seven separate local authority bodies; the timeframe for their publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26406/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

623 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which he will proceed with investigations into planning decisions made by the various local authorities, as prepared by former Minister Gormley; if he will ensure that all future planning decisions are made in a comprehensible, transparent way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27166/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 539, 564 and 623 together.

The planning review is intended to assess the application of planning legislation, policy and guidance within the development plan and development management systems at local level and to inform further policy development in these areas. Seven planning authorities, including Dublin City Council, representing a broad geographical spread of both urban and rural areas as well as both large and small authorities, had been selected to assist in the review of policies and practices by reference to a number of cases raised with my Department.

I am proceeding on the basis of my predecessor's decision as Minister for Housing and Planning that, instead of incurring significant costs to the Exchequer by securing outsourced expertise, the Department would carry out an examination of the cases involved to inform the planning review. In this regard, a three-person team from my Department has been in communication with the local authorities involved and has met locally with senior officials of the authorities. I will be making a public statement in the coming weeks, setting out fully the nature of the complaints involved, the findings of the review and, the conclusions and recommended next steps, as appropriate.

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