Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

I thank Deputies for their contributions. To respond to Deputy Catherine Murphy's point, there is no reason we cannot return to this issue. However, it was important to address it today before the House rises for the summer recess.

Today marks an important departure in a planning scandal that has bedevilled politics since 1997. In the intervening years, we have listened as a grotesque picture of corruption, avarice and greed emerged from Dublin Castle. In particular when Frank Dunlop eventually came clean about the swag of cash he used to undermine the planning system and peddle influence, our worst fears about what had occurred in Dublin County Council were confirmed, if not exceeded. The genuine rejection of that type of politics was given voice in this House when it held an extensive debate on the Mahon tribunal report some weeks ago. I accept the bona fides of Deputies from all parties on that matter.

Today is not the end of the Mahon tribunal saga but it represents a significant departure. The challenge for the House is not only to express its disgust at what has been proved to have happened in the past - this has been done - but to fashion a comprehensive response that demonstrates that the political system has learned from the tribunal process and is determined to change how politics is done at local and national level. The overriding goal must be to restore the trust of members of the public in their democratic institutions. The Government gave a commitment to embark on this path after the publication of the Mahon tribunal report. Today the whole of government response is laid out and I hope every citizen will take some time to consider the radical changes we are proposing through a course of action that addresses more than 60 of the Mahon report recommendations.

As the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, outlined, reform in a significant number of areas is already under way. In that regard, I note the passage, less than an hour ago, of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill and, in particular, the constructive manner in which all Deputies and Senators contributed to the debate on the legislation, as a result of which a better Bill will go to the President.

Foremost in my mind are the tribunal's recommendations on planning. I am committed to introducing comprehensive reform of the planning system in response to the Mahon report. There is a particular onus on me, as the Minister of State with responsibility for planning, to restore public trust in our planning system and this is a duty I intend to honour. I have already introduced reform in the planning area. The practice of developers promoting local area plans has been eliminated, for example, but I intend to introduce further reform.

One of the most fundamental recommendations in the tribunal report relates to the establishment of a planning regulator and I am determined to see this recommendation implemented. The establishment of a regulator brings with it serious issues of accountability and democratic control, which must be fully analysed if we are to get this important reform right. Much deliberation has been carried out by my Department to find out how this might be implemented. Important questions have to be addressed. Will there be a role for An Bord Pleanála, the Ombudsman or a completely new independent office? If the Minister is entirely removed from the process, how do we balance the democratic mandate of elected councillors against a powerful technocratic office? What are the limits of the regulator's powers vis-À-vis the planning process and elected members? Is the regulator's decision final? If the office is to reside in an existing body such as An Bord Pleanála, how will that affect the other functions of the board? Is there an inherent tension between making decisions on forward planning, development plans and local area plans and making decisions on individual planning cases? These are important questions about democracy, accountability and transparency.

I intend to introduce a comprehensive plan for an independent planning regulator. It is important not only that we address this crucial issue but that we do it right. With that in mind, I will consult the elected Members of the Oireachtas before I decide on a mechanism for delivering on this recommendation. I will take account of the points raised by Opposition Deputies. When the Dáil reconvenes I intend to submit a paper to the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht which will set out the various options and, with the agreement of the committee, I will attend a meeting to hear members' views. I believe that is an appropriate way to utilise the procedures of the Dáil. It is in marked contrast to the approach taken by Deputies Mattie McGrath and Niall Collins, who persisted in their usual tactic of innuendo and half-truth.

I have initiated the process of appointing an independent planner with regard to the reviews to which Deputy Catherine Murphy referred. I hope to be in a position to make the appointment in the autumn, as I had indicated following the review carried out within the Department.

Planning is essential for coherent, sustainable and healthy communities. We are united in the view that what happened the past can never occur again, but our vision for planning must go beyond that. By placing the values of community, sustainability and the common good at the heart of our planning system we can fashion a mechanism that delivers a thriving Ireland for the decades ahead. That is my vision for planning and it is one that I intend to deliver.

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