Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2014
430. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will initiate an inquiry into the handling of a planning case (details supplied) by a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47143/14]
View answerFrom inquiries made of Limerick County Council, it is understood that a number of pre-planning meetings took place with the person concerned before he lodged his first planning application for proposed development works (ref 06/3641). The Council has indicated that there were a number of planning issues with this application and after a number of further meetings with the person concerned at which these issues were discussed, he withdrew the application. The person concerned subsequently submitted a further application for planning permission on 20 June 2008 for revised development works (ref 08/1288). This application was refused by Limerick County Council and the person concerned did not appeal that decision to An Bord Pleanála even though the availability of this option was brought to his attention.
The person concerned subsequently made a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman alleging that he had suffered losses due to maladministration by Limerick County Council arising from the handling of his planning applications. However, after conducting an in-depth investigation into the matter, the Ombudsman found that there was no basis for this allegation.
Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular planning case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. Accordingly, I have no function in relation to this matter.
