Planning board row ‘rocks public trust’, says Clare senator

TRUST in An Bord Pleanála is at an all time low, in the view of Clare’s Fianna Fáil Senator, after alleged conflicts of interest at the appeals board. 

Speaking to The Champion, Senator Timmy Dooley stopped short of backing calls from his party colleague Junior Minister Niall Collins, who insisted that the board should be scrapped. 

Controversy engulfed the agency in recent months and led Deputy Chairperson Paul Hyde to step aside, ‘without prejudice’, pending a probe into allegations of conflicts of interest. 

Senator Dooley said the matter has “rocked public trust”. “Most people I’ve dealt with on planning issues believed the board to be completely objective and independent,” he said.

“As public representatives, we have the capacity to make representations to the local authority on planning matters, but we are precluded in law from ever engaging with An Bord Pleanála.

“It has always been seen as beyond the reach of local politicians or anyone who would seek to influence the planning process. A lot of people are, rightly, shocked to discover procedures are, what I would call ‘thin’ in their approach.

“It doesn’t give confidence to think that somebody might have a conflict of interest that has not been declared. If a local authority planner had a vested interest in a project, that would be known. We need a massive overhaul of the board to restore public trust.”

The prospect of planning decisions of the board now being challenged as a result of the controversy is something that Senator Dooley downplayed. “There are always two sides to every planning story,” he said.

“There will always be people who felt they haven’t been given a fair hearing. This situation now will raise further questions for a people who feel they have been mistreated. However, they would have to have compelling evidence. The fact is that the vast majority of people involved do their job to the very highest standards. Questionable practices do cast a shadow and that can’t be ignored.”

The Mountshannon native also agreed with criticisms over delays in adjudication on planning appeals and strategic infrastructure projects.

“The board’s slow pace in decision-making has hampered many important developments, including major infrastructure and housing,” he said. “We need, at this stage, to have an appeals board which is above reproach and capable of operating in a timely manner.”

Asked if the delays with decision making are due to a lack of resources, Senator Dooley said he would welcome proof of this.

“In these kinds of situations, it’s always put down to an issue of resources,” he said. “However, what I want to know is whether or not the resources are being well utilised. Throwing money at an organisation isn’t the answer, if it’s not efficient in the first place. If there’s a comprehensive review of the board and a report recommending additional resources, then that’s a different thing.”

Asked if the housing crisis and pressure to deliver major projects gave his party an interest in amending the operation of An Bord Pleanála, Senator Dooley said the biggest stumbling block was created by objectors taking judicial reviews.

“There is no denying the need to build housing as quickly as possible,” he said. “Naturally, we can’t have a free-for-all, but there is still a ‘Not in My Back Yard’ attitude. There will always be people who will object to developments and some who will tie things up in the courts for years. That’s why the Attorney General is reviewing the legislation in this area. We need to address public concerns but we cannot hold up development either.”