Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will abolish the €20 fee that has to be paid by members of the public wishing to make a submission to a local authority regarding a planning application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8031/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The €20 fee for making a submission on a planning application was introduced in the context of the comprehensive review of planning legislation which culminated in the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The fee was introduced in tandem with the increased rights given to third parties in the planning process in the revised legislation. Since the enactment of the 2000 Act planning authorities are statutorily obliged to acknowledge submissions on planning applications and to consider those submissions before making decisions on planning applications. Persons who make submissions are also entitled to be notified of:

any new information provided;

the decision of the planning authority;

an appeal against the decision of the planning authority.

My Department is currently examining the costs of the planning service with a view to reviewing the Regulations relating to planning application fees in the context of improving further service delivery. Any proposed changes to the current fees structure, including the fee for making a submission on an application, will require the endorsement of the Oireachtas.