Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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310. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of and which of the 101 recommendations from the 2016 review of an Bord Pleanála that have now been fully implemented; the status of the remainder; and the timescale for the full implementation of the recommendations. [24591/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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An Organisational Review of An Bord Pleanála was undertaken by an independent expert panel and published in March 2016. An Implementation Group, comprising representation from my Department and An Bord Pleanála (the Board), was established to oversee the implementation of the Review recommendations.

The Review contains 101 recommendations relating to legislative provisions, communications and stakeholder engagement, the Board's role and governance along with organisational and operational matters.

The Implementation Group published its Terms of Reference and Plan for Implementation in 2016. The Board, supported by my Department, as required, took the lead in the implementation of a large number of the key recommendations, with my Department taking the lead in examining recommendations requiring legislative underpinning.

“Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland” sets out a number of objectives with the aim of improving the functioning of the planning system including the comprehensive review and consolidation of planning legislation. This review is being led by the Attorney General and he has established a working group of professionals with planning law expertise to assist him in this work. The review is due to be finalised by September 2022 to allow updated legislation to be enacted by December 2022. As such, recommendations of the Organisational Review of An Bord Pleanála requiring legislative underpinning will be considered in the context of the ongoing review of planning legislation.

An update on the implementation status of each of the 101 recommendations contained in the report is attached in tabular form.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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311. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the terms of reference for the inquiry into allegations of a conflict of interest at An Bord Pleanála will be published; the expected timeline for publication of the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24592/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department published the terms of reference (attached) for the Report into the management of conflicts of interest and relevant disclosures by the Deputy Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála in relation to certain Decisions of that Board on the 12th of May 2022. In accordance with the terms of reference, Remy Farrell, Senior Counsel, is requested to provide a report to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage within a period of 6 weeks from the 12th of May 2022. I will consider the matter of publication once I have had an opportunity to review the Senior Counsel's report.