Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

One of the findings of the report is that there is no recommendation about former city and county managers having a period of leave before they can work for developers. Inside information is being traded on an ongoing basis and, in some cases, being prepared before they leave. If an official is working hand in hand with a developer and leaves, with a vast reservoir of knowledge, to work as a private operator, there are strong grounds for questions to be asked. I call on the Minister to take whatever action is necessary to prevent people in local authorities from working, in any capacity, for developers for a period of three years after their retirement. Otherwise there will be chaos.

The local authorities are in chaos. When the vote about Citywest was taking place, I asked if any members had a conflict of interest. Of course, Mr. Colm McGrath still voted in favour of Mr. Mansfield's development. This is happening throughout my constituency — Quarryvale, Adamstown, Laraghcon in Lucan and Palmerstown. The land map of my constituency is like grafitti on a city centre wall on the Sunday morning after the Saturday night and embossed by a ring of puke. There are no facilities and no coherent planning. That is due to the likes of Mr. Redmond, as outlined in the report.

I am sure we will read about more corrupt individuals in the next couple of years as the Mahon tribunal continues its deliberations. Are Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats sincere about learning the lessons? The Minister says he supports the work and findings of the tribunal. Will he do something to ensure there are no more tribunals or, at least, minimise their number by tightening up the legislation, imposing fines on people who have conflicts of interest and do not claim them and providing for large fines and imprisonment for former city and county managers and senior executives in local councils to ensure they do not work for developers and share their knowledge? If I was trying to get a planning extension on my house I would have great difficulty getting to talk with planners. Lessons need to be learnt within the body politic from Mr. Redmond's activities. I have a few short words for the Minister: please, learn the lessons.

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