People would never have confidence in the planning system unless they are assured the law is being applied, a conference on planning heard today.
Speaking at the opening day of the Irish Planning Institute’s National Planning Conference in Galway, Ms Mary Moylan of the Department of the Environment, said "until we have a culture of enforcement, we will not have a quality planning system".
The Ombudsman received 5,102 complaints (including invalid complaints) in 2000, compared to 3,986 in 1999. Some 800 of these complaints were about Local Authorities. Over 150 related to the planning system with 120 of those relating to enforcement.
Ms Moylan called on the Government to define quality standards saying that the administration of the planning system would not function properly until a "quality initiative" was put in place.
The Conference also heard how the Government should give consider special development agencies to ensure the successful implementation of the National Spatial Strategy.
The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) has submitted a Public Consultation Paper on the National Spatial Strategy to the Department of the Environment and Local Government.
Mr John Spain, president of the IPI, said a critical element in the implementation of the National Spatial Strategy will be the development of gateway towns.