Re-appointment of John O'Connor as chairperson of An Bord Pleanála

Mr Dick Roche, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has announced the re-appointment by the Government of Mr. John O'Connor as Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála.

Mr. O'Connor's term of office will be effective until June 2011. The position of Chairperson is a wholetime one.

The Minister paid tribute to Mr. O'Connor's contribution since the time of his original appointment in 2000. "As Chairperson, Mr. O'Connor has been at the helm during a time of significant increase in both the volume and range of the Board's work-load. In addition to the new functions afforded to the Board under the Planning and Development Act 2000, his first term of office has coincided with record levels of activity in the construction industry. This, in turn, has led to record caseload levels for the Board in recent years."

The Minister also referred to the new strategic consent process which has been in place since 31 January 2007. "An Bord Pleanála has been a key component in helping ensure that Ireland's development and economic well-being is both sustainable and sustained over the longer-term for some years now. That role has become even more significant since the Board commenced roll-out of the new strategic consent process. I believe that Mr. O'Connor's experience to-date and record as Chair, will enable him to effectively oversee the crucial 'bedding down' phase of the new strategic consent process, while the ordinary work-load of the Board continues to increase year-on-year."

John O'Connor was first appointed Chairperson of the Board for a 7-year term with effect from 6th May, 2000. Prior to his appointment, he had been an Assistant Secretary in the Department of Environment and Local Government in charge of the Planning and Development Division - with responsibility for Planning, Spatial Planning, Urban and Village Development, Construction, Water Services and Public Private Partnerships since July, 1995.

Prior to that, he served as Principal Officer in the Housing Policy and Finance Section of the Department and as the Department's Finance Officer.

He obtained a diploma in Public Administration from UCD.

Section 105 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides the legislative basis for the appointment of the Chairperson by the Government. Under this Section, the Government may either re-appoint a serving Chairperson for a second or subsequent term of office, or initiate a new application and appointment procedure.

The Chairperson's term of office lasts for seven years - but, Section 105(12) provides that a serving Chairperson may be re-appointed by the Government for a second or subsequent 7-year term of office.