Mr. Seán O'Leary:

IPI members must have academic qualifications in planning from one of the accredited planning schools, and to become a full member, MIPI, they are assessed on their competence and experience.

They require an academic qualification in planning from one of the accredited planning schools and, to become a full member of the IPI, an assessment of their competence and experience. Currently, a person can describe himself or herself as a planner and provide planning services but not be a member of any institute and not necessarily have any education in planning. This means there is no consistency in terms of standard of knowledge or ethics. All our members are subject to a code of ethics and continuous professional development, which we believe are important for high quality professionals. It is important planners have a good grounding in the discipline and that they keep up to date in what is an ever-changing part of public policy on a national and European level.

Non-members who operate as planners cannot be disciplined for unethical behaviour. We believe that a lack of standards across the board has hampered proper planning and planning outcomes. None of what we are proposing would stop these people from providing planning services but it would clarify for the public that they are dealing with people who are not professional planners, in particular in the context of CPD.

In regard to what might change, it is important to reiterate that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the profession and local authorities have developed a suite of guidelines for sustainable communities, urban and road design and so on. There is a strong body of best practice guidelines for local authorities and An Bord Pleanála to draw on. A great deal of time has been spent on ensuring that permissions will lead to better outcomes and longer-term sustainable development. I will hand over to my colleague to respond on the other issues of compliance and NSS.