Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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504. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 888 of 11 September 2023, the date the comprehensive set of queries were sent to the Office of the Attorney General; and the date the subsequent extensive legal advices were received. [40021/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Report, entitled 'A Review Into Certain Planning Matters in Respect of Donegal County Council', by Mr. Rory Mulcahy S.C., received by my Department in June, 2017, remains under consideration. The Report is a scoping report and as such it does not make findings as to the truth or otherwise of allegations that have been made by an individual against named persons.

Following an initial analysis and assessment of the Report’s findings and recommendations, the advices of the Attorney General's office on a comprehensive set of queries, including the potential dissemination or publication of the Report, were sought and have been taken into account. I continue to consider the Report and the extensive legal advices received, given that the Report details unproven allegations against named persons. This advice was formally sought on 2 October 2017 and received from the Attorney General's office on 31 July 2018.

This matter is extremely complex and requires very careful consideration. My Department continues to engage with various stakeholders on this matter, namely the Attorney General's Office and the Office of the Planning Regulator. Following this engagement I hope to be in a position to bring a Memo to Government regarding my proposed next steps by the end of the year.