Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 May 2013

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Ceisteanna (167)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

167. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he considers that, in circumstances where he and his Department have no function with regard to individual planning decisions, he will provide a look-back mechanism in the Planning and Development Bill 2013, whereby instances of questionable planning since the 1963 Act can be referred to the regulator for adjudication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26042/13]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) provides that an applicant for permission and any person who made submissions or observations in writing in relation to the planning application to the planning authority in accordance with the permission regulations and on payment of the appropriate fee, may, at any time before the expiration of the period of four weeks beginning on the day of the decision of the planning authority, appeal to An Bord Pleanála against a decision of a planning authority. As an independent planning appeals body, An Bord Pleanála has the key role in ensuring that planning decisions on appeal respect the principles of proper planning and sustainable development. I have, therefore, no proposals to provide for the matter as proposed.