An Bord Pleanála: Damning report into process of planning decisions

The as-yet unpublished internal report into An Bord Pleanála raises the possibility of potential risks of a lapse in adherence to operating procedures and in the recording of file movements and decisions. File picture

An Bord Pleanála has received evidence of a romantic relationship in the organisation that could have impacted on board decisions and procedures, according to an internal report. The alleged relationship is one of a litany of concerns raised in the report about misgovernance issues at the board in recent years.

The report notes that the alleged relationship could potentially give rise to a risk of “bias” in decision making and that it risked a lapse in adherence to operating procedures and in the recording of file movements and decisions. The report was delivered to the chairman of An Bord Pleanála, David Walsh, last week and has been examined by Department of Housing officials.