Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the procedures for an individual who wishes to erect a flagpole and the national flag in a public open space; if there are set procedures; if the individual requires planning permission or if it is a matter for each local authority to set the criteria or procedures in each county. [15783/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 - 2011, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Acts or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Article 6 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 sets out certain classes of development which are exempt from planning permission requirements. This includes a number of exemptions relating to the erection of flags or flagpoles by statutory undertakings and State authorities. However, there is no specific exemption for the erection of flagpoles by individuals.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the nature, scope and timeframe of the review of alleged planning irregularities in Donegal County Council and the six other county councils; when will the results be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15785/12]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government that in the event of adverse findings in the investigation of planning irregularities, especially in respect to certain matters in County Donegal, that the planning process has been corrupted for the benefit of certain planning officials, their families or friends, if he will appoint independent persons to report to him and make recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15786/12]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if wrong-doing, particularly for the benefit of friends and family, is revealed in the context of investigations into planning irregularities in county councils, the action he would consider appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15787/12]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the results will be published in the cases of both the internal review and any report by independent persons into alleged planning irregularities in county councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15788/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 to 405, inclusive, together.

The planning review announced by the former Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government was intended to assess the application of planning legislation, policy and guidance within the development plan and development management systems at local level and to inform further policy development in these areas. A number of planning authorities, representing a broad geographical spread of both urban and rural areas as well as both large and small authorities, had been selected to assist in the review of policies and practices by reference to a number of cases raised with my Department. The Programme for Government includes, inter alia, specific commitments better to co-ordinate national, regional and local planning laws in order to achieve better and more co-ordinated development that supports local communities, to develop a coherent plan to deal with the issue of unfinished estates and to ensure that there is adequate access and participation by citizens and public representatives in decision making and policy formation. The resources of my Department will be directed primarily towards supporting the implementation of the Government's commitments in these areas.

My Department is finalising the review of a number of specific complaints, following the initiating of the process by the former Minister. When this review is completed, I will issue a public statement outlining the complaints at issue, my response and any appropriate actions to be pursued in regard to further policy development and guidance, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government.