Board's 25 years of planning judgments
Until 25 years ago, a single individual - the minister for local government - had the power to make decisions that could result in property developers earning substantial profits at the expense of "proper planning and development". Indeed, James Tully, the last minister to deal with planning appeals, frequently ignored the recommendations of his department's planners and smiled broadly at them as he signed orders granting permission for such appalling schemes as the lumpen office block at Donnybrook Bridge, Dublin.
Some of An Bord Pleanala's more controversial recent decisions
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2002/0319/594335562HM4PLEANALALIST.html

