Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

If I understand the Senator correctly what is at issue is not the decision on the planning application but the pre-planning process. Pre-planning meetings are often open to interpretation in that while one person says one thing, another person hears something else.I have dealt with some planning applications and put a lot of store in pre-planning meetings. I would always advise people to attend pre-planning meetings, but I advise that the pre-planning meeting is not the actual planning process. I am interested to know why, for example, the applicant did not go to An Bord Pleanála. I will outline another avenue that could be pursued. The Senator referred to elected members. The elected members might like to debate such a matter in the chambers of the council in order to examine the guidelines, but perhaps that already happens.

I would like to draw the Senator's attention to political interference in planning applications. It is something we accept is not done in this country any more. Political interference in planning applications led to a lot of tribunals, and long drawn-out tribunals. I think sometimes a local solution to a local problem is a better idea. I shall convey the Senator's concerns to the Minister. It may be a wise course for him to speak to the local authority again. As stated in the report, the Minister is not allowed to investigate individual planning applications.