Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will clarify the role of an organisation (details supplied). [42423/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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An Bord Pleanála (the Board) was established in 1977, under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1976, primarily to provide for independent consideration of planning authorities' decisions on planning applications in the event that such decisions are appealed.

An applicant for permission, and any person who has made a valid submission or observation on a planning application, may appeal the decision of a planning authority to An Bord Pleanála. An Bord Pleanála, in determining an appeal, reviews the entire case, having regard to the same matters as the planning authority in deciding the application, i.e. the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received, and relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department.

As Minister, I am specifically precluded, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and 2010, from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is concerned.