Jackie Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will appoint a member representing the IRDA to An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4229/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Planning and Development Act 2000 the process for the appointment of members to An Bord Pleanála requires selections to be made from names put forward by six panels of nominating bodies prescribed for this purpose. As part of new planning regulations currently being prepared in my Department, I am considering the addition of the Irish Rural Dwellers Association as a nominating body to these panels.

I should point out that appointees to An Bord Pleanála would not represent their nominating body, but be appointed to make independent assessments of planning authorities' decisions submitted to the board on appeal. I intend to make the new regulations shortly.