Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Ceisteanna (224)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

224. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the full list of all nominations received by prescribed bodies pursuant to section 106 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 as amended for membership of An Bord Pleanála in 2014; the way that the selection process was conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28559/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The information sought by the Deputy regarding nominations received from prescribed bodies  for membership of An Bord Pleanála in 2014 is being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

The appointment of ordinary members of the Board is governed by section 106 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, and by Part 7 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. Organisations prescribed under Article 64 of the Regulations are invited to make nominations and the Minister, having regard to the suitability of the candidates nominated by the prescribed organisations, and the need to establish an appropriate balance in terms of expertise and experience in the overall membership to meet the needs of the Board, is requested to identify a candidate for appointment to the role of ordinary Board Member.

Since 2021, my Department has moved to a practice of organising a series of interviews with nominated candidates to inform the process. The purpose of these interviews is to ensure that candidates have an understanding of the role of the Board member and to explore their relevant experience. Candidates are not ranked, but a summary of the engagement is presented to the Minister along with candidates Curriculum Vitae.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

Based on a search of records held in the business unit of my Department which had responsibility for managing the appointment process for membership of An Bord Pleanála during the period in question, the following nominations were received for membership of the Board in 2014:

Panel C – Local Government, Trade Unions and Farming

Nominating Body	Nominee
Office for Local Authority Management (OLAM)	2 – 1 nominee subsequently withdrew from the process
Association of County and City Councils	2
Irish Congress of Trade Unions	2
Local Authority Members Association	Mr. Philip Jones plus 1 other

Panel D – Environment, Voluntary, Charities, Irish, Disabilities, Young

Nominating Body	Nominee
National Disability Authority	Mr. Philip Jones plus 1 other
Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland	1
Irish Rural Dwellers Association	Mr. Paul Hyde
Heritage Council	2
National Women’s Council of Ireland	1

In accordance with the GDPR principle of data minimisation, the names of those nominees who were not appointed to the board of An Bord Pleanála are not disclosed.

The appointment of ordinary members of the Board is governed by section 106 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, and by Part 7 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. Organisations prescribed under Article 64 of the Regulations are invited to make nominations and the Minister, having regard to the suitability of the candidates nominated by the prescribed organisations, and the need to establish an appropriate balance in terms of expertise and experience in the overall membership to meet the needs of the Board, is requested to identify a candidate for appointment to the role of ordinary Board Member.

Since 2021, my Department has moved to a practice of organising a series of interviews with nominated candidates to inform the process. The purpose of these interviews is to ensure that candidates have an understanding of the role of the Board member and to explore their relevant experience. Candidates are not ranked, but a summary of the engagement is presented to the Minister along with candidates Curriculum Vitae.