Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We talked about how we would implement the Mahon recommendations. We do not need a history lesson here to be told about politicians, and for that matter officials, in local authorities in the past. Let us be clear about it. This proposal relates to "any amount in monetary terms" and refers to political parties or individual representatives in any county council.

History tells us that planning officials and executive members of local authorities were found to be corrupt. Politicians were found to be corrupt. That is the reality. We do not need to keep reading their names out. I took the time today to look at Mahon's recommendations. There is a strong case for looking at this because planning has to be above reproach.

Politicians do not impact on planning decisions. That is healthy and good and it is right. However, if we are watching the politicians, we have to watch the executive as well. I am not casting aspersions on any current member of any planning authority in any one of the 31 local authorities, but what I am saying is there has to be confidence in a system where people in no way are influenced in determining the outcome, which amounts to a lot of money if one gets a favourable planning permission.

I hear what the Minister of State is saying. I get the impression he is sympathetic. He needs advice on it. However, if we are to transpose the recommendations of Mahon into legislation, although I accept matters have moved on in other areas and they are not all relating directly with planning, this is an important area that needs to be revisited before this legislation is finally enacted.