Some Planning Bodies
Department
The Department of Housing Planning and Local Government has a central role in planning and environmental matters.The Department formulates policy in relation to planning, housing ,water services and urban renewal. It is successor to the former Department of Local Government and the Environment. It plays a central role in local government issues.
The Minister/Department has important functions in relation to planning. These have been enhanced by legislation in 2010. The Minister may issue guidelines and policy directives to planning authorities. It may make requirements of regional assemblies in relation to their regional spatial and economic strategies. The Department has powers to ensure that the development plan conforms to guidelines.
Environmental functions were transferred to the Department of Communications Climate Action and the Environment. Certain other functions in relation to community development were transferred to the Department of Rural and Community Development in 2017. Natural and built heritage functions are vested in the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The EU framework for maritime spatial planning regulations 2016 designate the Department for Housing Planning and Local Government as the competent authority. The Department may adopt marine spatial plans. Together they constitute the national marine planning framework.
Bord Pleanala
The Minister/Department has no role in individual planning decisions. In 1976 the appeal from planning decisions to the Department was replaced with an appeal to Bord Pleanala.The Minister may give directions in relation to strategic priorities to Bord Pleanala.
OPW
The Office of Public Works is responsible for state heritage. It is also responsible for coordination and management of policy on flood risk.
Former Docklands Authority
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority was established in 1987 to act as planning authority in respect of the Dublin Docklands area. It absorbed the predecessor Customs House Development Authority. Its functions were transferred to Dublin City Council in 2016 .
The DDA made a number of planning schemes during its existence with reference to the north and south docks. Its section 25 certification process was equivalent to planning permission. Subsequently part of the Docklands area has been brought within a Dublin City Council strategic development zone.
Heritage Council
The Heritage Council was established in 1995 replacing the earlier non-statutory body. Its functions are to carry out research, propose policies for the protection of the national heritage and make appropriate recommendations to the Department (Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht).
Irish Water
Irish Water was created to bring the water and wastewater services of local authorities under a single national authority. It is a subsidiary of Bord Gais Éireann.
Irish Water prepares a water services strategic plan over a 25 year period after consulting with the relevant local authorities and regional authorities. It is to be reviewed every five years. The plan is to be consistent with the National Planning Framework and regional spatial and economic strategies. It is to have regard to development plans. Planning authorities must have regard in devising development plans to the water services strategic plan.
Irish Water is consulted in relation to the making of development plans, local area plans, regional planning guidelines and strategies. It is also consulted in relation to applications for planning permission and permissions/approvals for local authority development, subject to environmental impact assessment requirement.
Planning permissions which require connection to water and waste infrastructure are to require the applicant/developer to enter an agreement with Irish Water in relation to the development. Irish Water operates a connection charging policy under the approval of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
Information Commissioner
The Commissioner for Environmental Information is an office /role held by the Information Commissioner under the Freedom of Information act. The Commissioner deals with freedom of information areas in accordance with the EU legislation on the right of access to the environmental information held by or for public authorities.
Planning Regulator
The Planning Regulator evaluates and assesses the preparation and adoption of spatial plans. Certain powers of the Minister to make directions to local authorities are subject to recommendations being first made by the Regulator.