Hot on the heels of a new “user-friendly” guide to planning law enforcement in Ireland, launched this week by Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan, the Irish Planning Institute is to hold a free public seminar aimed at “demystifying” the planning process. A tall order indeed.

It will take place at 6pm on Tuesday, December 11th, and the aim is to explain how the system works, who the key decision-makers are and how members of the public can actively engage in the planning process.

Professional planners will talk about their roles, and explain how the public can get involved in the making of city and county development plans and lodge submissions on planning applications.

The seminar will take place in the institute's offices at 25 Great Strand Street, Dublin 1. The event is free but booking is essential through info@ipi.ie or by phoning 01-8788630. For the new planning enforcement guide see the Department of the Environment's website, environ.ie