Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the specific terms of reference that are in place outlining the role and remit of An Bord Pleanála; his views on whether these terns of reference are adequate; his plans to review or revise same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31543/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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An Bord Pleanála was established in 1977 under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1976. It is responsible for the determination of appeals and certain other matters as set out in the Planning and Development Acts, 2000 to 2011 and determination of applications for strategic infrastructure development including major road and railway cases. It is also responsible for dealing with proposals for the compulsory acquisition of land by local authorities and others under various enactments. The Board also has functions to determine appeals under Water and Air Pollution Acts and the Building Control Act. Full details of the board's role and remit, together with its Strategy Statement 2011-2014, can be viewed on its website www.pleanala.ie.

The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 introduced a range of measures to improve the throughput and performance of An Bord Pleanála. The performance of An Bord Pleanála also remains under ongoing review through mechanisms in place under the Croke Park Agreement. In terms of the future remit of the Board, the Government will consider a comprehensive analysis of the recommendations of the Final Report of the Mahon Tribunal – some of which relate to the Board - in the coming weeks.