An Bord Pleanála decisions should be available for public scrutiny

If we are to sustain our economic and social advancement, An Bord Pleanála must dispose of its business with rapidity. As a judical body, the secrecy of its proceedings will have to be examined. People have confidence in judical bodies because, under the Constitution, they are required to perform their operations in open court, before the press, and be available for full inspection by the public.

It is improper to suggest that a judicial body should not be accountable to Dail Éireann in a reasoned way.

A point that constantly strikes one, as a public representative, is the enormous variety of opinion among planning officrs about the desirability of applications. If Bord Pleanála was consistent, that conflict of opinion would not exist. That is the way it works in the court.