Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As I have many other issues to get to, I will highlight a case but absolve the witnesses from commenting on it. It is not in Tipperary, so it has nothing to do with my constituency.

Last March, a planning application for a hotel in a little village, Ballinskelligs – I know the place well because it is where my wife’s family comes from – was turned down. It was an insane decision on every level. I have read it all. There was no transparency. It was completely and utterly insane. That is my personal view. I am not saying anything about anyone.

However, Radio Kerry carried a report on an investigation on one of the two objectors. Nobody in Kerry knew who this person was or could find them. This has been discussed ad nauseamin Kerry. The decision, however, of An Bord Pleanála on that development was influenced by this. There were only two objectors. Everyone knows who the other one was. That was their right as a citizen and I have no issue with that. The decision, however, was based on the two objections sent to An Bord Pleanála. Nobody knows who the other person was. Most people there do not believe that person exists.

That cannot be allowed happen. Decisions like that are not acceptable. Parking the decision about the actual case, it cannot happen that it was appealed by somebody who does not exist.