Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the six local authorities were selected for a planning review; what the review will entail; the persons who will be on the expert group that is to make recommendations following the review; the purpose of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30735/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I recently announced a planning review to assess the application of planning legislation, policy and guidance within the development plan and development management systems at local level. The review will consider what measures may be required to ensure a consistent approach to these issues across all planning authorities, and to improve the delivery of planning services generally.

To assist the review, my Department wrote to the following six planning authorities - Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath County Councils, and Cork and Dublin City Councils – on 23 June, asking them to examine a range of submissions made to me by stakeholder groups and individuals covering different planning issues and to provide a detailed response to the issues raised by 16 July. I have also included Donegal County Council as part of this review on the basis of previously having requested and received a comprehensive report from the Council on a range of planning matters highlighted to my Department. These planning authorities represent a broad geographical spread of both urban and rural areas as well as both large and small authorities.

My Department will be establishing a panel of experts as soon as possible to undertake these reviews.