Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - Planning Permission.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

131 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of private and confidential deals entered into by the Defence Forces and a person (details supplied); the private guarantee, assurance or understanding, if any, he has received from the developer of this sand and gravel pit which persuaded the Defence Forces to privately withdraw their legitimate concerns about the proposal; if so, the means, if any, which the Defence Forces will use to ensure implementation of this guarantee or assurance regarding planning conditions arrived at between them and the developer; if his attention has been drawn to the concern that such private arrangements may enable the developer to circumvent the full rigours of the planning process; and the reasons the Department of Defence objections have been dropped if no guarantee, assurance or understanding has been reached with the developer. [21883/97]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

It was considered the conditions that Meath County Council attached to the grant of planning permission in this case did not adequately satisfy the concerns of my Department and an appeal was accordingly lodged with An Bord Pleanála. However, following meetings with officials of my Department, the developer agreed to the conditions laid down by the Department and has furnished written confirmation of same. This removes the grounds for the Department's appeal which will accordingly be withdrawn. If the developer does not honour his undertakings the matter will be pursued through the courts.