Watchdog queries €4m planning bill

AN BORD PLEANÁLA paid €4m over two years to outside consultants to tackle a backlog in planning appeals, it emerged yesterday.

Almost 50% of the 4,500 cases dealt with last year were allocated to independent consultants. The consultants were paid an agreed fee of €416 for each per case.

Speaking at the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, yesterday An Bord Pleanála chairman, John O’Connor, said the board they had to contract out the work to clear the backlog of appeals.