It was in November 1997 that the Oireachtas appointed the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments but it is abundantly clear, following the RTÉ exposé, that the legacy of this painstaking and costly 15-year inquiry has neither eliminated corruption from the planning process; given clarity to the basic ethical standards expected of public office holders or inspired confidence in the integrity of the planning system.

A ROMAN Catholic priest was allowed to continue in ministry despite admitting incidents of sexual abuse with a teenager, the BBC reported yesterday.