Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2018
44. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to initiate an independent inquiry into potential planning irregularities at a location (details supplied) in County Wicklow in each of the years 2001 to 2012. [9582/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra79. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that all potential irregularities concerning the planning process at a location (details supplied) in County Wicklow were fully addressed by the review conducted on the behalf of his Department by a person. [9583/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 79 together.
The compulsory acquisition of land at Three Trouts, Charlesland, Greystones, by Wicklow County Council was the subject of an independent review by a Senior Counsel that was commissioned in June 2012 by the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. This review was undertaken following representations made by three elected members of Wicklow County Council.
In carrying out the non-statutory review involved, Senior Counsel visited the lands involved, had access to all relevant Council files and engaged directly with relevant elected members and officials of the Council, both through meetings and written correspondence as necessary. He noted, for the record, that in carrying out the review, he had received full co-operation from all the parties referred to.
The review found that there was no deviation by the Council from the relevant legal requirements and administrative requirements or practices. The report of the review was published in April 2013. The conclusions and recommendations of the review were fully accepted by the then Minister and continue to stand. The report remains available to view on my Department's website, the link for which I will arrange to have circulated with the Official Report. http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad%2C32866%2Cen.doc
Subsequent correspondence was received from a number of parties, including current and former members of Wicklow County Council, on a range of issues, including matters relating to the lands in question. This correspondence has been examined in detail by my Department and once this process is concluded, my Department will be replying to the parties concerned.
