Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I am aware of the background to the High Court case regarding property in County Meath to which he alluded. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government recently received the report into the matter which was made on behalf of Meath County Council by Mr. Gerry Kearney, a former Secretary General of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and Mr. John Quinlivan, a former county manager in Louth.

I was very concerned when I learned of this case, which involved a significant financial judgment of some €4 million against Meath County Council. I understand the council will appeal the size of the award to the Supreme Court. I welcome the report into the matters which gave rise to the court case. The authors have carried out a very detailed analysis of the circumstances which led to the case and which influenced its eventual outcome.

The report examined the systems, procedures and governance structures in place in Meath County Council and in the planning department, in particular. In this regard, the report's findings highlight a number of serious deficiencies and provide a number of corresponding recommendations for remedial action. I am studying the recommendations in the light of what the Senator said and assure him I will enter into discussions, through my Department, with Meath County Council and all local authorities to ensure the recommendations are consistent across the board in the local government system.

As Minister with responsibility for local government, I am obviously perturbed by the report's findings. It will be very important that Meath County Council acts quickly to resolve the deficiencies identified. While the response to the report is a matter for the council in the first instance under the Local Government Act 2001, my Department has written to the county manager seeking an early and full report on proposals to act on the recommendations in the review. Subject to this response, I will consider what further actions may be required. I will also write to Meath County Council to get a report of the meeting held last Tuesday evening to consider the report by elected members. I am anxious to hear their observations-----