Bord Pleanála ruling - Enforcing decision will be difficult

The decision by An Bord Pleanála in relation to the enforcement of the Irish language conditions when granting planning permission is both significant and perplexing.

It is significant in that it indicates a scientific method of arriving at the ratio of houses for allocation to Irish speakers in housing developments in Gaeltacht areas, but is rather fuzzy on how it is to be enforced and policed.

The Bord arrived at its decision having dealt with two planning appeals in counties Kerry and Galway.