Mick Clifford: An Bord Pleanála finds itself in the glare of an uncomfortable spotlight

While the controversy over alleged conflict of interest turns focus on the planning board, other aspects of its work require further scrutiny

The strategic housing development model saw planning applications made directly to An Bord Pleanála. This system has been discontinued after a quarter of cases led to judicial reviews yet nothing was done about a powerful body repeatedly getting it wrong.

THE work of An Bord Pleanála (ABP) is set out in simple terms on its website: “An Bord Pleanála is Ireland’s national independent planning body that decides appeals on planning decisions made by local authorities as well as direct applications.”

The description is minimal and belies the power of its members and the scope of their decision making. If you have not been involved in a planning issue in this country, your knowledge of ABP, and your opinion of it, are likely to be as minimal as the description of its work.