The chairman of An Taisce has reacted angrily to calls from a Fianna Fáil senator for "radical reform" of An Bord Pleanála and a dilution of An Taisce's role as a planning watchdog.
Senator Marc MacSharry has launched a scathing attack on both bodies, describing them as "absentee planning dictators" who determine what is best for people in areas they are unfamiliar with.
But An Taisce's chairman Mr Frank Corcoran said Senator MacSharry should spell out what type of radical reform he wants for An Bord Pleanála.
"Would he prefer to return to the days when disgraced former minister, Mr Ray Burke, tried to pack an Bord Pleanála with representatives of vested interests?" asked Mr Corcoran.
Senator MacSharry this week called for An Taisce to be de-listed as a prescribed organisation in order to limit its "obstructive influence".
He also said that An Bord Pleanála was accountable to nobody, saying its decisions were inconsistent and often completely overlooked the views of local authorities, and overturned planning decisions on "highly academic technicalities".
An Taisce is one of a number of prescribed organisations which must be informed of planning applications.
Mr Corcoran argued that this was "not the time to reduce scrutiny of planning, given that planning scandals are still being unearthed in this country today".
Senator MacSharry's criticism followed An Bord Pleanála's refusal of a €15 million development planned for the High Street area of Sligo. The project would have incorporated 78 apartments, nine shops, a pub and offices.
An Taisce and a local resident objected to the development and it was refused by An Bord Pleanála on the basis that it did not respect the architectural characteristics of conservation areas outlined in the Sligo and Environs Development Plan.
Mr Corcoran said An Taisce was being attacked by a public representative even though the planning permission had been overturned on the basis of a development plan aimed at protecting the medieval part of Sligo which had been approved by elected members of Sligo Borough Council, and not by An Taisce.
"The real controversy here is why a member of the Oireachtas is calling for restrictions on independent groups like An Taisce and State agencies like An Bord Pleanála", he added.
Senator MacSharry, a son of former EU Commissioner, Mr Ray MacSharry, had maintained that the High Street development would have rejuvenated an area and the refusal was just one example of several nationally which begged the question "who is responsible for planning?"
