New leadership signals reform momentum in Irish planning

The appointment of Paul Reid as chair of An Coimisiún Pleanála marks a pivotal moment for Ireland’s planning system. Backed by the Irish Planning Institute, Reid’s leadership arrives amid sweeping reforms tied to the new Planning and Development Act, including long-awaited mandatory decision timelines.

For associations and institutes shaping policy and infrastructure conversations, this signals an era of greater accountability and system-wide recalibration. The push for a fully resourced national planning authority is not just about efficiency, it’s about regaining public trust and reasserting the value of professional planning in delivering quality, timely outcomes.

Read the full article for insight into what this leadership shift means for the future of planning.