Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2022
300. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions that he has taken further to a number of allegations of conflicts of interest regarding currently serving board members of An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61731/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Bord Pleanála (the Board) is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts. As evidenced in recent months, I treat any allegations of inappropriate actions or behaviour with the utmost seriousness.
While the Deputy refers to allegations against board members in relation to conflicts of interest, I am only aware of some allegations against one of the six current members of the Board. These alleged areas of conflict of interest pertaining to one of the Board members were highlighted in various printed and social media outlets. At my request, the former Chairperson did examine such allegations and concluded on the basis of the current protocols and provisions in place in the Code of Conduct, he did not find that the relevant board member had acted beyond what is reasonable and pragmatic in fulfilling their duties and obligations.
On 24 August 2022 the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) initiated their review of An Bord Pleanála’s (ABP) systems and procedures as part of its reviews programme. The first part was completed on 3rd October 2022, includes the requirement to update the Code of Conduct used by the Board. Part 2 of the OPR review is expected shortly.
In order to uphold trust in the planning system and maintain its on-going functionality, I concluded that a range of actions were required which involved both immediate and medium/longer term actions and In October 2022 I published the Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála which outlines a series of specific measures to address the OPR’s Phase 1 Review recommendations. This Action Plan includes measures to address conflicts of interests, changes to the board appointments system, strengthening the senior management team and the provision of further resources to An Bord Pleanála.
I also received Government approval for the priority drafting of legislation. The Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022, which commenced in the Seanad on 6 December 2022 and is expected to be enacted by the end of this year, deals with certain initial matters requiring immediate action on foot of the Action Plan for An Bord Pleanála, Phase 1 of the Office of the Planning Regulator Review of An Bord Pleanála and other matters relating to addressing board vacancies and the board’s case load in light of its new marine functions. Further more structural changes are proposed in the new Planning and Development Bill approved by Government on 13 December 2022, which will be referred to the Oireachtas for Pre-legislative Scrutiny.
