FF's Collins calls for re-opening of planning inquiries

Fianna Fáil environment spokesman Niall Collins has called on Minister for Local Government Phil Hogan to reopen the independent inquiries into planning irregularities in five local authorities.

The inquiries, established by the last Government, were shut down by the Minister shortly after taking up office last year.

Deputy Collins said: "The report of the Mahon tribunal is depressing reading for anyone who cares about public service and paints a bleak picture of the planning process throughout this country.

"t is essential for the process of rebuilding trust with people that there be no question mark over the modern planning process.

"This was one of the reasons why the last Government asked for a review of planning decisions by Dublin and Cork city councils, as well as county councils in Carlow, Meath, Galway and Cork.

"Some limited progress was made, with public advertisements leading to the appointment of a panel of planning experts from which a team was to be appointed for the review.

"However, within just a few months of taking up office Minister Hogan cancelled the investigations.

He called for that decision to be reversed.