Sections 38, 141 and 146 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, require a planning authority and An Bord Pleanála, respectively, within 3 working days of making a decision on a planning application or appeal, to make the relevant documents (including any environmental impact statement or Natura impact statement) available for inspection and purchase during office hours at the relevant offices. These documents must continue to be made available to the public for at least 7 years after the making of the decision on a planning application or for at least 5 years beginning on the third day following the making by the Board of a decision on an appeal.
It is a matter for each planning authority and the Board, as appropriate, to take the necessary measures to prevent any unauthorised interference with documents made available to the public in accordance with these provisions.