Gilmore slams Cullen’s veto of planning appeals

The Labour Party has accused the Government of prioritising development to the detriment of Ireland’s heritage and culture.

The accusation follows revelations that Environment Minister Martin Cullen had vetoed nine planning appeal recommendations from his own officials since he transferred heritage protection duties from Duchas to his department in July 2002.

Labour spokesman Eamon Gilmore said the minister should never have been allowed to assume such a right to veto planning appeals.

"It’s quite clear that this Government has made a decision that heritage matters are to take second place to development," he said.