Planning regulator will have ‘unchecked power’ under controversial legislation, Seanad hears

Labour Senator Rebecca Moynihan said a 'fundamental flaw' of the 747-page Planning and Development Bill was that 'there is no accountability' for the Office of the Planning Regulator in the legislation. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

“The Bill has emerged out of controversies with An Bord Pleanála and alleged conflicts of interests and yet in it, the most powerful office that we are providing for, the Office of the Planning Regulator, is absolutely untouched,” she said. “While An Bord Pleanála is having its name and functions changed, it is being split up into those who are looking after planning and those who are looking after the executive function. The planning regulator has unchecked power when it comes to interpretation of national plans and what is a plan-led approach.”

“We would not pick a director of finance for a local authority if he or she had no experience of finance” or a county architect or engineer,” he said. However, Minister of State for Housing Alan Dillon said the commentary on the regulator did not give an “accurate description” of its functions.

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