Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
583. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that it is now over three years since An Coimisiún Pleanála has appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts to examine its annual reports for 2023, 2024 and 2025; to address the serious governance failures which occurred in the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45452/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Coimisiún 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 2024, as amended, and certain other Acts.
The Planning and Development Act 2024, included a number of new provisions relating to An Coimisiún Pleanála, as part of a significant governance restructuring. The Act introduces statutory time periods for decision making for all consent processes, including, for the first time, for An Coimisiún Pleanála. This will bring increased certainty to the planning consent processes, for both the public and stakeholders involved in the delivery of key infrastructure such as housing and renewable energy.
The governance restructuring now means that there is a Governing Board in place, and that the running of the main organisation by the CEO is separated from the decision-making process on appeals which is handled by the Planning Commissioners. My Department manages the governance and oversight of An Coimisiún Pleanála, and through close engagement with the CEO and other An Coimisiún officials I am satisfied that the governance issues in the organisation have now been addressed and the planning appeals process is running effectively, as demonstrated by the clearance of the backlog of planning appeals cases in recent years. I am confident that An Coimisiún Pleanála will be able to meet the statutory targets for planning appeals when Part 4 of the 2024 Act is commenced later this year.
The schedule of the Committee of Public Accounts is a matter for that Committee, and I will note that the CEO of An Coimisiún Pleanála appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing on 19 May 2026 on the operations of the organisation.
