Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 465: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the planning and enforcement department within Dublin City Council is self-regulating; and if standards of transparency exist within this Department. [5498/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Planning authorities are independent statutory bodies, with democratically elected councils and their own management structures to carry out their statutory duties. The Planning and Development Act 2000 extended the rules relating to ethics for planning authority staff. Part 15 of the Local Government Act 2001 introduced a comprehensive ethics regime for councillors and local government employees which came into effect on 1 January 2003. This regime includes annual declaration of interests, disclosure of interests as a matter arises and a public register of interests. This regime was further enhanced by the national Codes of Conduct for Councillors and Employees.

In proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010, where there is proof that certain persons in public office have received monies or other benefit from a person who has an interest in the outcome of their decisions, including planning decisions, there is a presumption that such payments were given and received corruptly.