James Heffernan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I take on board the Minister of State's reply. Many people have provided sworn affidavits in this case, including elected representatives and people who represented the applicant in his consultations at pre-planning level. This is not about the final planning decision. It is about what occurred prior to it. The point being missed by the Department and the Ombudsman is that the guidelines as set out were not followed. That is what the applicant is saying and what Limerick County Council elected members believe, and for that reason tabled the motion referred to.

I understand this matter does not come within the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, but I would urge that the Department reconsider the matter in light of the precedent that has been set in County Donegal whereby some applications, in terms of irregularities regarding planning decisions, are being looked into by a third party appointed by the Minister. I believe a similar approach should be taken in this case because it may be that this is not an isolated incident and that there are other people who have suffered similarly as a result of pre-planning meetings not having adhered to the regulations as set out in the previous Act.