John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)

I wish to share time with Deputies Hayes and Crawford. I do not have an issue with the legislation or the spending thresholds it proposes to set. However, I am unsure if it goes to the heart of the issue with regard to money and politics. In addition to the type of political influence which affects local authorities and the decisions made by local authority members and officials, there is much discussion these days concerning golden circles. Such relationships have, to some degree, allowed politicians to make decisions that have not been in the public interest and have led to spending money unwisely or even recklessly. It is clear now that many of these decisions have been made because of naked political affiliation, the desire to maintain and preserve political power and far worse. I am unsure if the public understands the number of golden circles in the country. I have come to learn that the country is one big golden circle.

Transparency International launched a report on Ireland's national integrity systems some weeks ago, a copy of which I have before me. It did not receive much media attention apart from the usual response such as some articles in The Irish Times newspaper. A section relating to local authorities in the report caught my eye. It reported that the risk of fraud and corruption was especially acute within local government. That risk is heightened by the lack of adequate safeguards against planning corruption, false accounting, misuse of resources, influence selling and fraud.

A survey by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2006 revealed that few local authorities had adequate resources or systems in place for audit. This should be of grave concern, given the economic incentives for corruption created by Ireland's planning system. The report states that the regulation of urban planning continues to provide an artificial scarcity value on development land. For example, the value of agricultural land increases exponentially when rezoned by local government for residential and commercial purposes. According to the report, this system created an added incentive for corrupt transactions between developers and local officials and representatives. However, a combination of factors rendered and continues to render local government highly vulnerable to corruption and fraud. I agree with that analysis and I know it to be true. Today, we learn the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will issue a report on rezoning and development plans. While the committee's work in this area is helpful, I am not sure it goes to the core of the issue, namely, the nature of certain relationships. The chairman of An Bord Pleanála has referred to zoning decisions which did not accord with sustainable development and which seemed to originate from pressure by local developers.

The Minister indicated he plans to publish legislation this year which will put an end to opportunistic rezoning of land by county councillors. I await the outcome of his plans because I wonder whether the House will take steps to address the issue raised by Transparency International and the culture which has, in some cases, badly tainted local government and government in general. We need to start with zoning procedures in local authorities by mandating that all communications to officials and public representatives by individuals who have a beneficial or business interest be reported, disclosed and made public under law.

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