Mr. Patrick O'Sullivan:

The Deputy himself has identified the important point - that the Minister's current powers and those of the regulator will not replace the appropriate powers of the Garda concerning corruption.

Another important point is that the role of the regulator in assessing the performance and procedures of planning authorities is ultimately to deliver a better planning system at local level. The focus is not necessarily on corruption. It only arises if there is a possibility that evidence may be found. At that stage the regulator would decide whether there should be a deeper examination to determine whether there is any specific evidence. Where evidence is found it would be passed over to the appropriate authorities.