TD says An Bord Pleanála decisions "need to be reviewed"

Deputy Michael Healy Rae TD has called on the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien to open a process to review procedures and guidelines into the decision-making process of An Bord Pleanála.

This follows Minister O’Brien’s action of referring a report on certain decisions at An Bord Pleanála to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Gardaí and the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) on the advice of the Attorney General.

An Bord Pleanála was founded in 1977 to play the part of an independent review service for planning decisions made by local authorities.

“Many of these decisions had far reaching consequences for families and businesses, they are rightfully now concerned about the validity of the decision taken by the Bord and if wrongs were made then it is important that the Minister ensures the recommence is made to those affected or a host of legal actions may follow,” Deputy Michael Healy Rae said.

The Kerry TD added that in light of the recent referral of the findings into the report from An Bord Pleanála to the DPP, there is a growing concern amongst the public in Kerry and beyond that individual cases which were adjudicated on by An Bord Pleanála and refused should now be reviewed to see were correct procedures and guidelines adhered to during the decision-making process.