Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to change the composition of An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36901/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Appointments to the Board of An Bord Pleanála are governed by sections 105 to 107 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2010 and articles 56 to 65 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. The appointment process provides that appointments are made by the Minister from nominees put forward by four representative panels of nominating bodies prescribed for this purpose.

The organisations which make up these nominating panels are set out in article 64 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended. These bodies represent a wide range of interests so that potential appointees are drawn from a balanced group of people, with diverse backgrounds, who can reach a considered view on the issues with which the Board is concerned. Each body in each panel was invited to nominate two candidates for consideration for appointment to the Board. In relation to the position of Chairperson, the appointment is made by Government from candidates selected by an independent statutory selection committee.

Four new Members were appointed to the Board earlier in 2012, following the re-appointment of two serving Members in November and December 2012. This brought the number of Members to nine, including the Chair. I consider that the current nomination and appointment process is fair and transparent, and I am satisfied that the Board has the requisite balance of skill sets and expertise required for the effective discharge of An Bord Pleanála’s complex and wide ranging functions.