Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 May 2000

Written Answers. - Planning Process.

Alan Shatter

Question:

281 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the communications, if any, between his Department and the Department of the Environment in the period 1988 to 1994, inclusive,concerning allegations of corruption in the planning process in Dublin; if any communications were received by the Minister or his Department during the aforesaid period from the Minister for the Environment and Local Government or the Department of Environment and Local Government as a consequence of such allegations being referred to by members of Dáil Éireann by way of Dáil question or during the course of debates; and, if so, the contents of same. [14155/00]

Alan Shatter

Question:

282 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will detail the communications, if any, between the then Minister, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda in the 1989 to 1994 period concerning allegations of corruption in planning matters in Dublin; the manner in which the Minister or any departmental official inquired into or followed up such allegations; the details of the report, if any, received from the Garda Síochána with regard to any investigation conducted; and the communications received by the Minister or his Department with regard to such allegations from the Garda Síochána. [14156/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together.

My Department has had correspondence with the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters about the matters which are the subject of these questions. Copies of the relevant papers, held in the Department, have been forwarded to the tribunal. In the circumstances, I do not consider it appropriate for me, at this stage, to make any further comment on the matter.