Oral Hearing tomorrow on CPO of lands in north Louth

An Coimisiún Pleanála has shared the agenda this week for the oral hearing that it will be holding tomorrow, Thursday 17 September, virtually via Microsoft Teams, in relation to the CPO of lands for Louth County Council’s Carlingford Public Realm Scheme.

The national body explains that the purpose of the oral hearing is to provide an opportunity for all parties, who wish to do so, to make further submissions and to allow the Inspector to seek clarification on any relevant issues arising and objections made. Parties will also have the opportunity to ask questions or seek clarification on submissions made at the hearing.

According to the agenda, the oral hearing will include a submission from Louth County Council which will present an overview of the public realm works and CPO; justification for land acquisition with reference to alternatives considered; and Louth County Council’s response to written submission(s) made by Objectors, if relevant.

This will be followed by submissions by Objectors (or their representatives), which include Trinamaire Mooney, Alan Johnston, and Mark Mooney.

Following this, there will be questioning between parties if required, from Objectors to Louth County Council; Louth County Council to Objectors; and the Inspector to Uisce Eireann and/or Objector; followed by closing statements if necessary.

On completion of the oral hearing, the Inspector will prepare a report and recommendation on the case for the Commission. The decision to confirm or annul the CPO will be made by the Commission.

An Bord Coimisiún says that there is no obligation on any party to make a submission to the oral hearing or to ask questions of the other parties.

It adds that all written submissions already received will be considered by the Inspector and the Commission. For this reason, submissions previously made in writing need not be reiterated during the course of the oral hearing.