The Institute’s Constitution provides for 10 Executive Committees, each made up of a Council member and members. 

The Committee structure offers enhanced opportunities to get involved in your Institute and profession. Sitting on an IPI Committee puts you at the heart of developments in your profession and allows you to meet and work with a range of interesting people working across planning in Ireland. Each Committee has a Convenor who is a member of Council who liaises between the Committee and the Council.

Each Committee also elects a Chair and a Secretary at its first meeting. The Chair of a Committee is not required to be a Member of Council. Each Committee works to an agreed work programme.

Executive Committees Overview

Convened by Treasurer Brendan Allen, the Finance and General Purposes Committee consists of the Vice-President, the Honorary Treasurer, and four other Corporate Members/Fellows, or another number as may be agreed by the majority of Council members present at a Council meeting. The Finance and General Purposes Committee considers and advises Council on the financial affairs of the Institute and is also responsible for a number of key initiatives such as the Irish Planning Awards, marketing and branding and commercial arrangements.

The Membership and Professional Practice Committee consists of six Corporate Members/Fellows. The Convenor of the Committee acts as the membership secretary of the Institute. The Committee considers and advises Council on membership applications and the rules and regulations on general membership policy, it investigates matters of professional conduct, delivers the membership Recruitment and Retention Strategy and will advance professional recognition.

Convened by Gavin Lawlor, the Technical and Education Committee consists of eight Corporate Members/Fellows. The Committee considers and advises Council on matters such as CPD policy, implementation and monitoring of the Education Guidelines, accreditation of planning courses, mentoring scheme and public education and awareness.

Convened by Emma Flanagan the Practice Committee advises on the effects of new policy, legislation, regulation, guidelines and case law on forward planning, development management, and enforcement. The practice committee coordinates the role and function of, and is supported by, the private sector branch and the public sector branch. 

Convened by Philip Jones, the Policy and Research Committee consists of up to eight Members. The Committee considers and advises Council on policy submissions by the Institute in response to public consultation requests from external organisations. The Committee is responsible for matters such as developing policy research and guidance. The Committee also seeks input on policy matters from the Special Interest Forums derived from the membership.

Convened by Sinéad O’Malley, the Marine Planning Committee consists of up to 15 members. The Committee considers and advises Council on matters relating to marine planning policy and guidance, CPD programmes and promotes awareness of marine spatial planning among planners, stakeholders and the general public.

The Branches Committee consists of up to eight Members, preferably from those involved in branches at a local level. The Committee considers and advises Council on matters relating to the organisation and operation of the Branches of the Institute.

Convened by Sorcha Turnbull, the Transport Committee consists of up to eight members. The Committee considers and advises Council on matters relating to transport and transport planning policy and guidance, CPD programmes as well as developing and advancing the discipline of transport and mobility within the planning profession in Ireland.

The Urban Design Committee consists of up to eight Members. The Committee considers and advises Council on matters relating to urban design policy and guidance, CPD programmes and education.

The Young Planners Committee consists of up to eight Members. The Committee considers and advises Council on matters such as the Young Planners Network and graduate recruitment and skills.