Ireland's independent planning body An Bord Pleanála (ABP) has come under severe criticism with damning reports surfacing in the media.

Recent reports have claimed that "public confidence in the Bord is already low and failure to adequately respond will make the situation worse".

Sinn Féin representative Eóin Ó Broin has hit out at ABP over the reports, urging the planning body to respond to the swirling allegations.

"ABP has suffered reputational damage due to decisions it has made on controversial Strategic Housing Developments," said Deputy Ó Broin. "To date, ABP has failed to adequately respond to the conflict-of-interest concerns raised, which only further damages its standing in the eyes of the public.

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"My colleague Thomas Gould has written directly to ABP seeking a robust response and some clarity on these issues. I have written to the Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien and my colleague Mairead Farrell will raise the issue in the Public Accounts Committee.

"The public must have faith in the planning system. ABP must follow its own rules and ensure that its board members are compliant with the relevant provisions in the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001.

"ABP must now provide a full and comprehensive response to the conflict of interest issues in public domain.

"We also need to urgently hear from Minister O'Brien on the matter."