Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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632. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is satisfied that all the board members of An Bord Pleanála are in compliance with section 106 (13)(d)(ii) of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19782/22]

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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633. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether a board position is rendered untenable for breeches of section 106 (13)(d)(ii) of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19783/22]

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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634. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether, following reports in the media that a senior board member at An Bord Pleanála who failed to disclose interests which could have had a material impact on decision making, should be allowed to remain on the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19784/22]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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674. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has any concerns in relation to the conduct of members of An Bord Pleanála particularly with respect to conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest between their decisions with respect to strategic housing development applications and their private business interests. [20748/22]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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686. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has contacted An Bord Pleanála regarding media reports involving their deputy chairperson and a strategic housing development vote in Blackpool, Cork. [20915/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 632 to 634, inclusive, 674 and 686 together.

In relation to the questions posed, I can inform the deputies that I am aware of the allegations which have been made and understand that those allegations are denied by the Board member concerned.

A Senior Counsel is being appointed to provide a report to inform my consideration of the matter.

I also understand that the Office of the Planning Regulator has independently written to the Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála requesting him to outline the systems and procedures that An Bord Pleanála has in place to ensure effective compliance with the statutory duties provided for in Section 147 and 148 of the Act, and any other information he considers relevant.  

An Bord Pleanála is independent in the performance of its functions under the Planning and Development Act.  

Pending the outcome of these considerations, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.