Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
1327. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the rules that govern the exclusion of certain members of An Bord Pleanála from participating in decision-making at board level on the grounds of conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25605/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála operates under a Code of Conduct as required by section 150 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, one of the purposes of which is to ensure that any potential conflicts of interest relating to its statutory functions are dealt with in an appropriate manner. This Code is available for viewing on the Board's website at the following link:
http://www.pleanala.ie/about/conduct.htm
Section 13 of the Code outlines the procedures for dealing with conflicts of interest in the context of Board meetings, where appeals and other planning cases are determined. Section 15.2 of the Code specifically requires that a Board member shall not deal with any case in any capacity on behalf of the Board where the member had any involvement at any time in the matter, either on a personal basis or on behalf of a previous employer or as a member of any other organisation or voluntary body.
Furthermore, section 15.4 requires that a Board member shall not knowingly deal with a file relating to a planning authority or a private practice where he or she was previously employed during the previous 2-year period or any voluntary or professional organisation of which the person is or was a member during the previous 2-year period.
