Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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An Bord Pleanála is the national independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other developments under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and certain other Acts.

An Bord Pleanála is required to adopt a Code of Conduct for its members under section 150 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act).

An Bord Pleanála adopted an updated Code of Conduct in June 2023. The updated Code of Conduct takes account of the principles and provisions of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001. In line with section 150 of the Act, it sets out the policy for such matters as disclosures of interests, including financial interests, and membership of companies. It is a robust document which is easily accessible to staff of An Bord Pleanála. A copy of the Code of Conduct can be viewed at the following link - Code of Conduct | An Bord Pleanála (www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/code-of-conduct)

Under Section 147 of the Act, Board members and prescribed employees of An Board Pleanála are required to provide an annual declaration of interests in land, and any business or involvement in dealing in or developing land. A declaration of interests made under section 147 include any interests of the person and of any nominee of the person or of any company or other body of which the person’s nominee is a member.

In addition to the disclosure requirements under the above Act, Board members and designated officials (inspectorate and administrative staff at Executive Officer level and above) are required to make a declaration of interest under the Ethics in Public Office Acts. Under these Acts, any Board member and designated official is required to to prepare an annual statement of their interests which could materially influence the person in or in relation to the performance of the person’s functions because such performance could so affect those interests as to confer on or withhold from a substantial benefit to the person, or the person’s spouse/civil partner/child.

Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.