Planning watchdog's legal costs increase by 46 per cent to almost €700k
Gordon Deegan
Spending on legal costs in proceedings involving the State planning watchdog, the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR), increased by 46 per cent to almost €700,000 last year.
The 2025 financial statements for the OPR show that the spend on legal fees concerning legal proceedings increased by €214,619 from €481,634 to €696,253.
A note attached to the statements states that the rise in legal proceedings costs is due to an "increase in legal costs due to a number of Judicial Review proceedings being heard in 2025 and associated cost orders”.
The OPR has also made a €250,000 provision in 2025 concerning legal costs bringing its overall provision to €440,000 at year end.
A note states that the OPR was a notice party in Judicial Review proceedings against the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in respect of which cost provision has been made in consultation with the OPR’s legal advisors, as a best estimate of the costs, which are probable to be apportioned to the OPR as a notice party in the proceedings.
The note states that one Judicial Review concluded in 2022 and two Judicial Reviews concluded in 2025.
The note adds that during 2024, Judicial Review proceedings were initiated against An Coimisiún Pleanála and the OPR.
The note states that an adverse costs order was made in 2024, in respect of which a provision has been made.
The note further states that at year end 2025 the OPR awaits notification of the actual costs for payment pertaining to the rulings concerned.
Numbers employed at the OPR last year decreased by one from 46 to 45 and staff costs rose from €3.17 million to €3.87 million.
The remuneration for chief executive, Niall Cussen, increased from €174,515 to €186,794. A note states that Cussen “did not receive any performance related payments or any other benefit in kind during the period”.
The OPR is responsible for assessment of all local authority and regional assembly forward planning, including zoning decisions.
The report states that the OPR "also ensures that planning authorities are operating with the highest standards of integrity and best practice, giving the public confidence that important planning decisions are taken in line with national policy".
The cost of the OPR last year increased from €4.48 million to €5.67 million and the largest cost was staff costs totalling €3.87 million.
The amount received in State funding last year increased from €4.6 million to €5.96 million and the higher state funding resulted in the OPR’s end of year surplus doubling from €147,796 to €296,490.
