Mick Clifford: An Bord Pleanála wields so much power but how do we decide who is at the helm?

Questions arise as to why Paul Hyde was nominated by the then defunct Irish Rural Dwellers Association as he had no known association with the body

An Bord Pleanála deputy chairman Paul Hyde, who was appointed in 2014 by the then environment minister Phil Hogan.

The members of An Bord Pleanála wield huge power, yet there is little transparency in how they are appointed.

One case in point involves the appointment of deputy chair Paul Hyde, who is being investigated over allegations of conflicts of interest.