An Bord Pleanala's oral hearings were "increasingly becoming the province of extremely expensive lawyers and planning advisers", according to Ms Joan Burton, Minister of State at the departments of Justice and Foreign Affairs, writes Frank McDonald, Environment Correspondent.
Commenting on the board's decision to reject plans for a privately run "superdump" in Mulhuddart, Co Dublin, she expressed concern over the cost to local residents' associations and business people of being properly represented at such planning inquiries.
Ms Burton, Labour TD for Dublin West, said the hearing in the Mulhuddart case had gone on for more than a week, resulting in costs to the parties involved "running into tens of thousands of pounds". It has been estimated that the appeal cost the main objectors £60,000.