Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2021

Tuesday, 14 December 2021

Ceisteanna (146)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

146. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the costs pertaining to his Department and An Bord Pleanála and the Department’s agencies in respect of all appeal and judicial review applications instituted against his Department and or An Bord Pleanála by case in each of the years since January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61742/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

The Office of the Chief State Solicitor provide representation to the Minister in respect cases before the courts. The costs of such representation are discharged by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. Third party costs orders against the Minister are, subject to assessment or as the case may be, adjudication, discharged by the Minister. In this respect, there have been no third-party legal costs paid directly by my Department as a result of appeals and judicial reviews as referenced in Deputy's question from decisions made by An Board Pleanala.

An Bord Pleanála is an independent statutory body which does not come under the remit of my Department.

The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency.  The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.