Report into planning decisions goes to DPP
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has referred a report on certain decisions made by An Bord Plean谩la (ABP) to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), an Garda S铆och谩na (AGS) and the Standards in Public Office (SIPO).
In a statement, Darragh O鈥橞rien said that he had taken the decision on the advice of the Attorney General.
He also announced a number of other measures aimed at upholding trust in the planning system, and helping it to deal with an increased workload.
The report entitled, Report Into the Management of Conflicts of Interest and Relevant Disclosures by the Deputy Chairperson of An Bord Plean谩la in Relation to Certain Decisions of that Board and Related Matters, was completed by Remy Farrell SC.
Advice sought on publication
Last month, the deputy chair of An Bord Plean谩la, Paul Hyde, resigned. He had earlier stood aside temporarily amid allegations of conflicts of interest.
The minister said that it was now a matter for the DPP whether a criminal prosecution should be undertaken arising from the findings of the report.
He has also sought the DPP鈥檚 views on the publication of the report, adding that he believed it was important that it be published as soon as possible, 鈥済iven the vital public interest in this matter鈥.
Minister O鈥橞rien is also awaiting a separate internal report from senior management within ABP.
Independent review
The Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) is to carry out an independent organisational review of ABP. This will involve independent planning experts from other jurisdictions and Conleth Bradley SC, according to the minister鈥檚 statement.
Among the review鈥檚 tasks will be to identify any changes in legislation that may be needed.
The minister also signalled that he would back a further increase in staffing levels at ABP 鈥渋n tandem with the recommended organisational reforms set out by the OPR review鈥. He had already sanctioned an earlier increase of 24 staff, who are currently being recruited.
The minister also plans an overhaul of the appointments process at the board, underpinned by new legislation. As a result, the current process for nominations will cease.
Other measures proposed include the appointment of 鈥渁 senior legal advisor鈥 to the ABP board, and a requirement for monthly reports from the board to the minister on corporate governance.