An Bord Pleanála name change to happen in coming weeks
Body Coimisiún Renamed Be To Pleanála An Planning
Staff at An Bord Pleanála have been told the organisation’s name change will happen within the next few weeks, in a move likely to anger workers at the beleaguered planning body.
Interim chairperson Peter Mullan sent an email to staff at 10.30am on Wednesday morning to tell them the organisation will be renamed An Coimisiún Pleanála.
It is understood the name change has been pushed by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, with the provision an element of the Government’s legislative bid to reform planning in Ireland with the Planning and Development Bill 2022.
Mr Mullan acknowledged the deep disappointment among long-term workers at An Bord Pleanála with the name change, which has previously been described as a “collective punishment” for staff.
That change is one of many set out in the legislation that would affect An Bord Pleanála, which has been dogged by controversies and scandal.
A guide to the legislation published last month by the Department of Housing said it would see a “significantly revised corporate structure” for the renamed An Coimisiún Pleanála with a separation of corporate, decision-making and governance functions.
Public sector union Fórsa has said previously the plans to change the body’s name would amount to a “collective punishment”.
In correspondence with Mr O’Brien, assistant general secretary with the union Ian McDonnell said the proposed change “reflects negatively on all who work in the organisation” and is akin to “collective punishment of all (past and present) in the organisation who have worked and continue to work diligently and conscientiously in accordance with public sector values of impartiality and integrity”.
He added the rebrand may “involve significant and unnecessary expense”.
It is understood a union branch meeting within An Bord Pleanála is to be held imminently, with the name change to top the agenda.