Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 October 2012

Thursday, 11 October 2012

Ceisteanna (135)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

135. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 3 October 2012, and notwithstanding his Department's management guidelines, if a local authority may as a matter of policy preclude councillor's and or Oireachtas members from attendance at formal pre-planning consultation when they are accompanying the prospective applicant; if such a policy were it be adopted would it be an executive or reserved function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43890/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

As stated in the reply to Question No. 155 of 3 October 2012, it is a matter for the planning authority concerned to decide whether another person or persons may accompany an applicant to a section 247 pre-planning consultation, having regard to the effective conduct of the consultation, the number of persons concerned, limitations of time and space and any other relevant considerations. Such a decision would be an executive function as there is no provision in law making it a reserved function.