Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I am not up to date on the procedures relating to An Bord Pleanála. I do not know if they have changed. One might have a very long hearing that could, perhaps, go on for weeks. The inspector recommends that planning be given or refused and then the board overturns the planner's decision. There is no transparency about the method of overturning that decision. Members of the board of An Bord Pleanála are appointed and they have to sign their names to decisions but I do not think that is good enough. It is unacceptable, especially to community groups that have won their argument but who lose the battle with the bureaucracy.