Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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192. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on allegations, in connection with the actions of Limerick County Council, regarding certain planning matters at Ardagh, County Limerick. [7407/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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While it is not entirely clear, I assume that the Deputy is referring to the matter raised in Question No. 430 of 9 December 2014.

As I stated in the reply to that Question, from enquiries made of Limerick County Council, it is understood that a number of pre-planning meetings took place with the person concerned before he lodged his first planning application for proposed development works (planning ref 06/3641). The Council has indicated that there were a number of planning issues with this application and after a number of further meetings with the person concerned at which these issues were discussed, he withdrew the application.

The person concerned subsequently submitted a further application for planning permission on 20 June 2008 for revised development works (ref 08/1288). This application was refused by Limerick County Council and the person concerned did not appeal that decision to An Bord Pleanála even though the availability of this option was brought to his attention.

The person concerned subsequently made a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman alleging that he had suffered losses due to maladministration by Limerick County Council arising from the handling of his planning applications. However, after conducting an in-depth investigation into the matter, the Ombudsman found that there was no basis for this allegation.

Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular planning case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. Accordingly, I have no function in relation to this matter.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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193. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 28 January 2015, when the findings and outcomes of the investigations, under the planning review of the performance of planning functions, will be released; if he has received a copy of the finished report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7410/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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MacCabe Durney Barnes Consultants were appointed in February 2014 to carry out an independent planning review on the performance of planning functions in six selected planning authorities (Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath County Councils and Cork and Dublin City Councils) in accordance with section 255 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. I expect to receive the final report from the consultants shortly and I subsequently intend to publish it having considered its contents.