SID: Oral hearings and meetings

Oral hearings

The Commission has the power to hold an oral hearing with or without a request for one. In some cases, the Commission may consider that the issues involved in the case can be adequately and appropriately assessed by way of written observations and submissions.

The applicant and any person who makes submissions to An Coimisiún Pleanála about the application can request an oral hearing. If you have paid the application fee or €50 fee to make an observation there is no additional fee to request an oral hearing.

If the Commission decides to hold an oral hearing:

• • we will write to all participants in the case about the arrangements for the oral hearing.
• • we will publish on our website details about the oral hearing and the agenda.

At an oral hearing, the inspector’s powers include:

• • running the oral hearing efficiently and without unnecessary formality
• • limiting the time which any person may make points or arguments
• • refusing to allow a point or argument which is not relevant to the oral hearing or that is repeating items already mentioned.
• • allowing or refusing someone to make an observation at the oral hearing that has not already done so during the time period that observations could be made to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Our oral hearings guide gives information about:

• • how you can prepare before the oral hearing,
• • who attends an oral hearing,
• • what happens at a typical oral hearing, and
• • what happens afterwards.

Limited agenda oral hearings

The Commission can decide that due to the issues involved with the proposed development that a “limited agenda” oral hearing takes place. This may be based on a recommendation by the inspector who will be in charge of the oral hearing. If a limited agenda oral hearing take place, it will focus only on the issues contained within the limited agenda.

Meetings

The Commission may also hold a meeting with the applicant or any other person the Commission considers has relevant information about the case. The Commission may decide to hold an oral hearing and a meeting in the same case. A meeting can be called and held either before or after an oral hearing. Only the Commission can call a meeting. It is not possible for an applicant or an observer to request a meeting.