asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that certain unscrupulous individuals are using provisions of existing planning legislation to better themselves financially by objecting to authorised planning permission in order to be bribed into withdrawing their objections; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planning Permission Objections.
26.
No such case has come to my notice. If the Deputy will be good enough to give me particulars of any such cases he has in mind, I shall look into the matter.
Surely the Minister is aware that frivolous appeals can tend to hold up worthwhile projects and would he not consider it timely to introduce some penalty to discourage the making of these appeals and the holding up of projects that are worthwhile?
I can assure the Deputy that I have already made provision for this sort of thing but no such case has been brought to my notice, particularly by Members who are complaining in the House about it. I shall be glad to get any extra information which will help to strengthen the Bill which will be coming before the House.
I have pleasure in referring the Minister to a file in his Department.
And perhaps the Deputy will ensure that the file is there.
Pay more attention to your questions and less to your desire to lead trumps.
All I want to do is answer the questions that are asked, no matter how stupid they may appear to me.