Former HSE boss Paul Reid to be named Planning Authority chair

Paul Reid, who previously led the HSE and chaired the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use, will take over at An Comisiún Pleanála.

Former HSE CEO Paul Reid is set to be appointed as the new chairperson of the Government’s reformed planning authority, An Comisiún Pleanála.

It is understood that housing minister James Browne will bring Mr Reid’s name to Cabinet on Tuesday for appointment.

Mr Reid, who previously led the HSE and chaired the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use, will take over at An Comisiún Pleanála, which was formally legislated for as part of the mammoth Planning and Development Act 2024.

The establishment of An Comisiún Pleanála has been long anticipated, with the previous Government’s mammoth Planning and Development Act providing the legislative basis for the new body.

The establishment of An Comisiún Pleanála has been long anticipated, with the previous Government’s mammoth Planning and Development Act providing the legislative basis for the new body.

This will replace the previous board structure of An Bord Pleanála.

A new system of mandatory, statutory timelines for planning decisions will be introduced. This means An Comisiún Pleanála will be required to make decisions and adjudicate appeals within 18 to 48 weeks.