Oral Hearing Expert Witness

A fundamental part of the any planning system is an appeals process. An Bord Pleanála is the national planning appeals board and has the discretion to hold an oral hearing as part of its process in assessing a planning application. An oral hearing is a public meeting to allow relevant issues in a case to be discussed and examined. Oral hearings are generally held for:

  • Strategic infrastructure cases
  • Appeal cases which are complex or where significant national, regional or local issuses arise
  • Compulsory purchase orders and related cases
  • Other case types when considered necessary.

FERS senior ecologist Dr. Patrick Moran has several years experience in preparing and presenting ecological evidence and has provided expert witness advice at oral hearings from both developer and objector point of view. Dr. Moran is also on the An Bord Pleanála ecology panel and has reviewed both Environmental Impact Statements and Natura Impact Statements on behalf of the board.