Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his advice on an issue (details supplied) regarding planning [33717/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Transparency has always been an essential part of the planning system. Insofar as the planning application process is concerned there is a facility for the public/third parties to make submissions, and to appeal a decision of the planning authority to An Bord Pleanála as the independent planning appeals body. In relation to development by a local authority the Planning Acts and Regulations similarly make provision for input from the public, whether in the case of decisions made by the elected members of the local authority, or, as is the case where the development would require assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment or Habitats Directives, An Bord Pleanála.

The forward planning process also makes provision for statutory consultation with the public in relation to the preparation of development plans and local area plans. Furthermore, I am a statutory consultee in the forward planning process in the context of my overall responsibility for the planning policy and legislative framework to support proper planning and sustainable development, and I have delegated powers of direction under Section 31 of the Planning and Development Acts where I am of the opinion, inter alia, that a plan fails to set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of an area.

The Planning Review Report I published, on 12 June 2012, together with the Government's response to the report of the Mahon Tribunal, within the coming weeks, will further underpin a fair, open and transparent planning system.