Mahon urges changes to Shorten tribunal

Judge Alan Mahon has requested the Government to change the terms of reference of the planning tribunal, it emerged tonight.

The inquiry into planning corruption has cost more than €34 million since it was established in 1997.

Under the new terms of reference, the tribunal would have the power to forgo particular lines of inquiry if the cost could not be justified.

The three judges would also be allowed to sit separately when new modules commenced.

A Government spokeswoman tonight confirmed the cabinet had been informed of Judge Mahon’s request. She added that members of the opposition parties had also been briefed about the development today.

Judge Mahon has told the Government this could allow the tribunal to finish its investigations by 2007.

Last year, he warned that under the current terms of reference, the tribunal might last until 2015.

The planning tribunal, which was previously headed by Mr Justice Fergus Flood, made findings of corruption against several figures in its interim report, including former Government Minister Ray Burke.

Last year, it paid 4.2 million euro to lawyers on its team and spent another 2.2 million euro on office expenses, support staff and equipment.