Dr. Mary Kelly:

Our role as an appellate body is to hear an appeal and make a decision. We do not really have a role to get involved with the local authority, or any other party, in how they conduct their business. When a local authority grants permission for a development, it is important that the local community stay involved until the end of the appeal period. Clearly, a developer can appeal to An Bord Pleanála. The community can then make observations to us, as in the case of any other appeal. It is just that the boot is on the other foot. The community is the observer rather than the appellant. Where people are really concerned about a development and a local authority refuses permission, they need to stay involved to ensure they will be involved in the next stage. In general, in the cases we see, we receive observations from third parties. In that sense, most third parties are aware of their rights and responsibilities.