Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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660. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reports presently underway into alleged planning irregularities being carried out by his Department; the locations under investigation; and by whom they are being carried out; if he has received completed reports, and the date on which he has received them; when will they be published; if there is any reason they cannot be published immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36419/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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There are no reports of the kind referred to in the Deputy’s question underway in my Department. However, there are currently two Planning reviews being carried out by my Department.

The first has been undertaken by MacCabe Durney Barnes Consultants, who were appointed in February 2014 to carry out an independent planning review on the performance of planning functions having regard to specific planning issues in respect of six 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 have received the final report from the consultants and am currently considering its contents. It is my intention to publish this shortly.

The second review follows on from the Order made by the High Court on 14 June 2013, quashing that part of my Department's Planning Review Report (2012) relating to Donegal, following a settlement between my Department and the party concerned who had brought judicial review proceedings in respect of that part of the Report. The matter has been disposed of to the satisfaction of both sides. In light of these proceedings, my Department subsequently sought the advice of the Attorney General on how best to proceed in the case of issues raised in relation to planning matters in Donegal.

Taking account of advice from the Office of the Attorney General my Department has appointed, on a non-statutory basis, Senior Counsel to prepare a review report in relation to these matters. This report will be prepared in line with terms of reference which have been agreed in consultation with the Attorney General's Office.