Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It is done by the planning authority. Section 72(11) states:

The members of the planning authority shall consider a report of the chief executive prepared under subsection (9) and the urban area plan or priority area plan, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be made in accordance with the recommendations set out in the report of the chief executive 6 weeks after the furnishing of the report to the members ...

Section 72(12) states, "Where the members of the planning authority resolve in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (11) to make an urban area plan or a priority area plan", which means that the members will have an opportunity to vote on it.