The planning authority notified my Department in November 1999 about this planning application for outline planning permission. This is a statutory obligation placed on them by Section 32 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994 to 1999. A departmental archaeologist assessed the proposed development and a report/recommendations was submitted to the planning authority in January 2000. The report advised that, subject to certain archaeological mitigation measures, the Department had no objection to the proposed development. The planning authority subsequently sought confirmation of the report-recommendations and this was given to them in February 2000. I understand the planning authority recently decided to refuse to grant permission for the proposed development. Such decision is a matter solely for the planning authority under the local government planning and development code and neither my Department nor I are parties to such decision making process other than to offer advice and make recommendations to them. I am arranging to have a copy of the Department's reports-recommendations to be forwarded for the information of the Deputy.
