Written answers
Wednesday, 7 December 2022
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Planning Issues
Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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28. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he will publish the Mulcahy report into alleged planning irregularities in County Donegal; the amount the unpublished report has cost to prepare; the reason it has not already been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61074/22]
Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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29. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of his draft direction issued to Donegal County Council on 29 August 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61077/22]
Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) has an important role in the overall plan-making process. One of the core functions of the OPR is the independent assessment of all local authority and regional assembly statutory plans, including county and city development plans, local area plans and regional spatial and economic strategies.
The OPR provides observations and recommendations during the drafting of statutory plans. In cases where the OPR finds that a local authority's plans are ultimately not consistent with relevant regional or national policies, the OPR can recommend the use of Ministerial powers of direction to align plans with statutory requirements and best practice.
Concerning Donegal County Council, consequent to a recommendation made to me by the OPR under section 31AM (8) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), I notified Donegal County Council on 29 August 2022 of my intention to issue a Direction (a draft of which was included in the notice) to Donegal County Council to take certain measures specified in the notice in order to ensure that the Donegal County Development Plan 2018-2024 Variation 2 is in compliance with the requirements of the Planning Act. Information pertaining to this draft direction and subsequent responses from the local authority to the OPR are available to view at
www.donegalcoco.ie/services/planning/planningpolicy/wind%20energy%20policy%20framework/The public consultation period ran from Friday 9 September to Thursday 22 September 2022.
Subsequently, the Chief Executive of the Council issued a report dated 20 October 2022 on the submissions and observations made to the planning authority on this draft direction. The Office considered this report and issued a notice under section 31AN (4) of the Act to me, as Minister responsible, on 8 November 2022.
I am currently considering the recommendations set out in the notice letter received from the OPR.
It is important to note that this process remains live and has not yet concluded and therefore it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this time.
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