Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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267. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in a case where An Bord Pleanála decides against the recommendation of the board's planning inspector, if he will confirm the documentation an appellant is entitled to which is not published online such as the minutes of the meeting where the decision was made and any working papers used by the board; his plans to improve transparency in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43316/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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When An Bórd Pleanála makes a decision on a planning appeal, it publishes the following documents on its website - the Inspector’s report in relation to the appeal and the Board’s direction and decision on the appeal. Under article 74 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, the Board is required to provide comprehensive information when notifying the parties concerned and any person who made submissions or observations in relation to the appeal of its decision on an appeal, including specifying of the nature of the decision and the main reasons and considerations on which the decision is based.

Furthermore, where the Board’s decision differs from the recommendations in the Inspector’s report, the Board is also required under article 74(2)(k) of the Regulations to specify the main reasons for not accepting the Inspector’s recommendations. This level of disclosure is intended to ensure the transparency of the process for all parties involved in the appeal and to enable the rationale for the Board’s final decision on the appeal to be fully understood by all parties involved. I am satisfied that the existing arrangements in relation to the disclosure of information and documentation in relation to decisions made on planning appeals by the Board are fair and comprehensive and I have no plans to amend them.