Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan, to be fair, raised this issue last week in the Dáil. I think Deputy Ó Broin raised it also. The Minister responded on that occasion in the Dáil. Separate from the allegations that had been made, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has also been made aware of correspondence between the deputy chairman of An Bord Pleanála, Mr. Paul Hyde, and the board secretary, which was brought to the attention of the Minister's Department by the chairperson of An Bord Pleanála. The concerns about a conflict of interest disclosed by Mr. Hyde on 3 May 2022 relate to a meeting in 2021 and a board decision. Mr. Hyde states in his correspondence that he became aware of the conflict of interest only on 28 April 2022. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, requested a report from the chairperson of An Bord Pleanála when he became aware of this matter on 6 May 2022. The chairperson responded to the Minister on Monday, 9 May, that Mr. Hyde had agreed to absent himself from his duties as deputy chairperson for the time being on a strictly without-prejudice basis, pending completion of the chairperson's analysis of the matters raised. In this context Mr. Hyde will not be in attendance in the board's offices or have access to the board's electronic systems or documentation, and his case files have been reassigned to ensure the efficient discharge of the functions of the board. As the House will know, the Minister has appointed Mr. Remy Farrell to conduct an examination of this issue. In fairness, it was not envisaged that there would be a statement on the matter on this week's Dáil schedule. I think we should await the outcome of the examination of the matter. Then, by all means, we can have a debate on the matter and the Minister can come before the House to discuss it.

In response to Deputy Mattie McGrath's points, there is to be a debate on agriculture on Thursday.

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