Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
675. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to bring forward amendments to the legislation that underpins the appointment of members to An Bord Pleanála to ensure that all future appointments to the board are made via the public appointments process. [20749/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointment of Board members to An Bord Pleanála is governed by section 106 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), and Part 7 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. It provides that appointments to the Board by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government are generally made from candidates nominated by panels of prescribed bodies.
Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland sets out a number of objectives with the aim of improving the functioning of the planning system including the comprehensive review and consolidation of planning legislation. This review is being led by the Attorney General and he has established a working group of professionals with planning law expertise to assist him in this work. All provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, including those relating to An Bord Pleanála, will be examined in the context of this review, which is due to be finalised by September 2022 to allow updated legislation to be enacted by December 2022.
