Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2016

Tuesday, 11 October 2016

Questions (233)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

233. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the various allegations detailed to him by a person (details supplied) in a county council that allege another person was acting fraudulently; his plans to address the allegations; if he is satisfied that his Department and the county council concerned have responded adequately to the very serious allegations raised previously by this whistleblower; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29701/16]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

My Department appointed Senior Counsel on a non-statutory basis on 2 September 2015 to prepare a review report in relation to planning matters in Donegal. This follows the Order made by the High Court on 14 June 2013, quashing that part of my Department’s Planning Review Report (2012) relating to Donegal, arising from a settlement between my Department and the party concerned who had brought judicial review proceedings in respect of that part of the Report.

Senior Counsel was due to submit a review report to my predecessor by 31 October 2015; however, further interactions and clarifications being sought with regard to the scope and nature of the review have resulted in delays to concluding the review. I am currently considering these matters, with a view to providing the necessary clarifications to enable Senior Counsel to complete his independent review as soon as possible within the coming months.

The complainant has recently submitted a separate complaint which is currently being considered by my Department and a separate response will issue to him shortly on this issue.