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

The Minister has acted quickly and promptly on this and has appointed a senior counsel to provide a report on the specific issue. The terms of reference are currently being finalised. I assure the Deputy there will not be any undue delay in respect of that because the independence of An Bord Pleanála, as defined in the Planning and Development Act, is important in itself. Also, it has to be beyond any perception of potential inappropriate behaviour or a failure to disclose. I am not making any judgments on this. I want to stress that because what I am saying is without prejudice to the production of the report itself. We have to be fair with regard to that aspect.

From my understanding, the senior counsel will be focusing on this, but I will revert to the Deputy on it. As soon as the terms of reference are finalised, they will be published. Thereafter, there will be a report. I am sure the Minister will continue to give this serious consideration.

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