The Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment, Brian Stanley TD, launched his party’s private members motion which calls for the establishment of an independent planning regulator as recommended by the Mahon Report. He described the Government’s proposal for a regulator to be contained in promised legislation as ‘inadequate’.
Deputy Stanley said:
“We are bringing this motion forward as we believe that there is a need for an independent planning regulator as recommended by Justice Mahon. The outline for proposed Government legislation makes the office subservient to the Minister, in contradiction of Mahon’s recognition for a regulator with powers separate from the Department.
“I will also be highlighting a number of current planning issues which underline the need for a regulator. Among them are serious allegations regarding planning irregularities in county Wicklow. The Minister and his predecessor Phil Hogan were aware of the claims. It is unsatisfactory that nothing has been done to act on the claims, and that a file regarding one case was removed from the Minister’s office before he could read it.”
