The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has announced the appointment of Ms. Mary MacMahon and Mr. Conall Boland to An Bord Pleanála. The Minister has also decided to re-appoint 5 serving members. Ms Mary MacMahon will take up office on 27 November. Mr. Conall Boland will be appointed from 1 January 2007 (a brief resumé for the new members is set out below). Both new Members are being appointed for a term of 5 years.

Ms. Mary MacMahon graduated from Queen's University in Belfast with a Masters in Town and Country Planning. She is a planning consultant with previous experience as a fee-per-case inspector with the Board. Ms MacMahon is currently a Board Member of the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board. She was nominated by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge and replaces Mr Michael Wall who has stepped down after serving almost 8 years as a Board Member.

Mr. Conall Boland is a civil and environmental engineer. He holds Masters degrees in Civil Engineering and in Spatial Planning and is currently Technical Director with RPS Consulting Engineers. Mr Boland was nominated by Engineers Ireland and replaces Berna Grist who served as a Board Member for 5 years before standing down.

In making the announcements, the Minister stated, "An Bord Pleanála is a key component in helping ensure that Ireland's development and economic well-being is both sustainable and sustained over the longer term. The demands of the new strategic consent process, in addition to the continued high level of appeals, will require that the Board continue to deliver high quality decisions efficiently and effectively.

"New Board members are selected following an open and comprehensive request for nominations by a range of organisations, representing the broad range of social interests. This process helps ensure that the Board reflects the broader society that it serves. I am delighted I have been able to select such high calibre candidates. These appointments and the additional resources I have secured for the Board will enable it to deliver an improved performance".

The Minister has also now re-appointed Mr. Brian Hunt, Ms. Angela Tunney, Mr. Brian Swift, Ms. Jane Doyle and Mr. Karl Kent as Ordinary Members of An Bord Pleanála for a further period of 5 years. Mr Hunt will also continue in his duties as Deputy Chairperson of the Board.