Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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489. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide his response to the recommendation in the UCC report Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands to develop a planning process that is more responsive to the needs of island residents, ensure greater clarity in planning policy, and proactive communication of this policy, to island residents or their representative housing body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13711/23]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The planning process is open and transparent and allows for the public to participate regarding any planning applications lodged to a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála (the Board) in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act) and it supporting Regulations.

When a planning authority makes its decision on a planning application including those located on islands, under section 34(3) of the Act the planning authority shall have regard to any written submissions or observations concerning the proposed development made to it in accordance with the permission regulations. The decision of a planning authority on a planning application may be appealed to the Board under section 37 of the Act.

When the Board makes its decision on an appeal, in accordance with article 74(2)(j) of the regulations the Board shall specify that in making a decision on an appeal the Board, in accordance with section 34(3) of the Act, has regard to submissions or observations received in accordance with the Regulations.

It should be noted that my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development and her Department are currently developing an Islands Policy and a robust action plan to accompany it.

When the Islands Policy is approved by Government and published, planning authorities and the Board when considering planning applications or appeals shall, where relevant, have regard to the policy of the Government, the Minister or any other Minister of the Government in accordance with section 34(2) and 143(1) of the Act respectively.

Therefore, any specific policies in relation to the islands and the views of local residents through submissions on planning applications shall inform the decision making process of planning authorities and the Board when considering planning applications or appeals, as appropriate.