Almost 60 allegations of planning corruption still to be examined by Flood Tribunal

ALMOST 60 separate allegations of planning corruption are still under investigation by the Flood Tribunal.

The extensive and complex nature of the number of cases still to be examined by the Tribunal’s legal team means the inquiry is likely to run for several more years.

Many of these allegations relate to controversial planning developments highlighted by the PR consultant, Frank Dunlop who has admitted paying members of Dublin Co Council thousands of pounds in return for votes on rezoning motions.

In his report published yesterday, the Tribunal chairman, Mr Justice Feargus Flood thanked the members of the public who have provided the Tribunal with assistance and information in its investigations into alleged planning corruption.

He said the Tribunal had received information in relation to 184 separate planning matters covering development in all parts of Ireland following publication of an advertisement inviting the public to supply information.

Mr Flood said 25 allegations of a general concern about planning matters did not involve any allegations of corruption against any identifiable person.

Almost 60 complaints have been received by the Tribunal relating to concern about large-scale developments and the manner in which they were granted planning permission.

While the majority of these complaints did not contain specific allegations of corruption, Mr Flood confirmed that 27 of the developments were still under investigation.

He said that another 32 cases involving complaints about individuals in relation to the development of single private houses, extensions or possible breaches of planning permission were still be examined to see if they fell within the Flood Tribunal’s terms of reference.