Anyone in Ireland has the right to see a planning application made to any local authority. On payment of a fee, you also have the right to make a written submission or observation on any application. The comment must be made within 5 weeks of the date of receipt of the planning application.

Applicants for planning permission must put up a site notice and advertise in a local newspaper, so you may find out about an application that way. Local authorities prepare weekly lists of planning applications and make them available for inspection for at least 8 weeks in their offices and public libraries.

You are entitled to see all the documents submitted with a planning application. Planning authorities cannot rule on an application until 5 weeks have elapsed from the date of its receipt.

Your comments must be made in writing to your local authority. You should quote the planning application's reference number. You must quote your name and give an address for correspondence.  Your submission will be available on the public planning file and may at some point be available on the City Council’s website, including your details.

The address to write to is shown above. Your submission/observation will be acknowledged by the local authority and you will be notified of the planning decision. The fee in respect of a submission/observation is € 20. Anyone who has made written submissions/observations and paid the necessary fee must be informed of the decision by the local authority within 3 days of them making the decision.

If you made a submission/observation that has been acknowledged by the local authority, you have the right to appeal its planning decision to An Bord Pleanála.