James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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525. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the make-up of the board of An Bord Pleanála fully represents urban rural interests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3592/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides that the membership of the Board of An Bord Pleanála shall comprise a Chairperson and up to 9 ordinary members. The processes for the appointment of the Chair person and the ordinary Board Member s are set out under sections 105–107 of the Act and associated regulations. In relation to the position of Chairperson, the appointment is made by Government from candidates selected by an independent statutory selection committee. The composition of this committee is set out under section 105 of the Act and, where a vacancy arises, the committee is required to select a maximum of three suitable candidates from among those who compete in a publicly advertised open competition. The selection committee established for the purpose of the appointment of a Chairperson in accordance with the Act shall consist of:

- the President of the High Court,

- the Cathaoirleach of the General Council of County Councils,

- the Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government,

- the Chairperson of An Taisce – the National Trust of Ireland, and other specified parties.

The current Chairperson of the Board was appointed in May 2011 on foot of this process.

The appointment process for ordinary Board Members, set out in section 106 of the Act, provides that appointments shall be made by the Minister from nominees put forward by four representative panels of nominating bodies prescribed for this purpose.

The 37 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 broad cross-section of interests across society so that potential appointees are drawn from a representative group of people, with diverse backgrounds, with a view to ensuring that a balanced and comprehensive view can be reached on the issues with which the Board is or may be concerned. Each body in each nominating panel is invited to nominate suitable candidates for consideration for appointment to the Board.

In addition to the Chair person, there are currently eight ordinary members on the Board. In making the appointments of the ordinary Board members, cognisance is taken of the balance of skill sets and expertise required by Board members for the effective discharge of An Bord Pleanála’s complex and wide ranging functions.

I am satisfied that the current nomination and appointment process for the positions of Chairperson and ordinary Board members is fair and transparent and I have no plans to amend the arrangements at this point in time.