Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his good wishes. I am sure they will always be extended.

It is unclear as to which member or members of An Bord Pleanála the Deputy is referring. The process for making appointments to the board is governed by the Planning and Development Act 2000. The board operates under a code of conduct as required by section 150 of the Act. One of the purposes of the code is to ensure potential conflicts of interest relating to the statutory function of An Bord Pleanála are dealt with in an appropriate manner. The code is available for viewing on the board’s website at www.pleanala.ie.

Section 13 of the code contains procedures for dealing with conflicts of interest in the context of meetings of the board where appeals and other planning cases are determined. Section 15.2 of the code also requires a board member not to deal with any case in any capacity on behalf of the board where the member had any involvement at any time in the matter, either on a personal basis or on behalf of a previous employer or as a member of any other organisation or voluntary body. Furthermore, section 15.4 of the code requires a board member not to knowingly deal with a file relating to a planning authority or a private practice where he or she was previously employed during the previous two year period or any voluntary or professional organisation of which he or she is or was a member during the previous two year period.

If the Deputy has information that he needs to make me aware of, he can always write to me and I will address it accordingly.

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