John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

This was done even though internal reviews by departmental officials had been carried out in November 2009. The abandonment of the external process despite the fact that a framework had already been put in place indicates that he had an ulterior motive for his actions. I had hoped he would be in the Chamber to explain his decision but the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, is more than capable of addressing the issue and I hope she will provide an explanation. The most appropriate way to investigate these issues is by means of an independent review because there are close links between the Department and local authorities. The appointment of senior positions in local authorities, such as county managers, have to be sanctioned by the Minister. It is not good practice to allow people from within the system to carry out reviews but clearly the Minister believed otherwise.

The Minister of State published the Department's internal report today. She appears to have decided to make a pre-emptive strike given that the motion was coming before the House tonight. Its publication was clearly rushed in an effort to spare the blushes of Government backbenchers when it came time to vote against an effort to restore public faith in the planning process.

See this speech in context