Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. In my ministerial role, I appoint the chairperson of An Bord Pleanála. For the first time ever in the history of the State, earlier this year I appointed an independent planning regulator, Mr. Niall Cussen, to oversee all of our plans under the national planning framework, all of the work being done by local authorities and their planning offices, and An Bord Pleanála. It would not be appropriate for me to make an observation on an individual planning application. That would be an abuse of power.

See this speech in context