Planning anomalies - Consistency is essential

WE’VE known for many years that dysfunctional planning procedures and practices were at the root of some of the many difficulties facing this county.

However, the confirmation from the Ombudsman yesterday, that local authorities across the country interpret planning legislation differently can only add to the sense of bewilderment about how we conduct affairs.

The Ombudsman’s office surveyed nine authorities and found that each applies planning legislation and guidelines differently. Had the Ombudsman visited another nine authorities it is likely that even more variations on the theme would have been uncovered.

Though this exposure of another case of stream-of-consciousness public administration is not surprising, it is thoroughly dispiriting. Where we should have joined-up thinking, policies and interpretation we have a series of republics making their own rules.

Successful societies do not work this way and we must get to the point where the rules are the same no matter what your address is.

Minister for the Environment John Gormley is responsible and he must ensure that legislation enacted by our parliament means the same thing for all citizens.