James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a review of An Bord Pleanála has taken place since its foundation in 1977; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13665/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In 1990, a Review Group was established by the then Minister for the Environment to undertake a review of the systems and procedures of An Bord Pleanála. The review was designed to identify any changes that might be made to support the most expeditious disposal of appeals while ensuring that the Board's procedures are adequate and fair for their purpose. The Review Group presented its report in January 1991.

The Planning and Development Act 2000 also provides for the independent review of the performance of the Board by the Oireachtas and by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Under Section 117 of the Act the Board must submit its accounts for audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General each year. Both the accounts and the Annual Report of An Bord Pleanála must be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. As part of these processes, the Chairman of the Board is required to appear before the Committee of Public Accounts and the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to review the performance of the Board during the year in question.

In 2002 the Comptroller and Auditor General conducted a Value for Money examination of the planning appeals system. The Board also monitors and reviews its performance and its internal procedures on an ongoing basis.