Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 3

Written Answers. - Corruption in Planning Process.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

137 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice the scale and nature of the investigation which she has ordered into allegations of corruption in the planning process; the Government's view on the request for immunity from prosecution by solicitors acting on behalf of the sponsors of the campaign to prosecute those people involved in planning corruption; the number of people implicated by the allegations; whether the gardai have questioned some of these people in the course of the investigation; if she has received an interim report from the gardaí in relation to this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13920/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

At the request of the Government, the Garda authorities are investigating media reports of allegations of corrupt practice in the planning process and in the course of this investigation have met representatives of the firm of solicitors named in these reports. In the course of these discussions the question of immunity from prosecution for some people was raised. The Garda indicated to the solicitors that this was a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions to adjudicate on receipt of the Garda investigation file. Garda investigations are continuing.