Vol. 529 No. 1
839 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals he has to oblige architects or planning consultants to provide PRSI numbers to ensure the bona fides of professionals carrying out planning applications and subsequent verification in view of the recent controversies relating to local authority staff being involved in such work. [1949/01]
Section 150 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 provides for the adoption by each planning authority, and An Bord Pleanála, of a code of conduct for dealing with conflicts of interest and promoting public confidence in the integrity of its business. It is my intention to bring Section 150 into force in conjunction with the development control provisions of the Act and Regulations are under preparation. These codes of conduct will consist, inter alia, of a policy on undertaking work, not being work on behalf of the authority or the board, as the case may be, both during and after any period of employment with the authority or the board, whether as a consultant, adviser or otherwise. Compliance with such codes of conduct will be a condition of employment of officers of planning authorities and employees of the board. I believe that this is the most appropriate way to ensure that conflicts of interest in the conduct of the business of the authority are minimised and I have no proposals to require PRSI numbers to be provided by architects or planning consultants with planning applications.
Question No. 840 answered with Question No. 772.
Question No. 841 answered with Question No. 801.
