'Bribery': Dáil hears of developer asked to pay €500k to have planning appeal withdrawn

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien and Labour leader Ivana Bacik were responding to revelations in the 'RTÉ Investigates' probe

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien told the Dáil: 'It is effectively a form of bribery — there is no question about that — and that needs to be called out every time it is done.' Picture: PA

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien has condemned "bribery" in our planning system and is now open to creating new standalone criminal offences to tackle the issue.

The Dáil has heard of a "concerning" case where a developer was asked to pay more than €500,000 in order to have a planning permission appeal withdrawn.

It comes after an RTÉ Investigates programme, aired this week, uncovered similar practices.

Mr O'Brien said asking for payment in return for withdrawing planning objections is "reprehensible" and "disgraceful" and it slows the delivery of much-needed homes for people. 

The housing minister told the Dáil: 

It is effectively a form of bribery — there is no question about that — and that needs to be called out every time it is done.

The Minister said he had written to the Attorney General and the Department of Justice in advance of the RTÉ programme.

While he said the revelations were "shocking", Mr O'Brien added: "I have to say it is not surprising, because I have heard of cases."

Raising a case which, she said, she learned of on Wednesday night, Labour leader Ivana Bacik said: "I was shown evidence of a party seeking to use the planning process to coerce a developer to pay more than €500,000 into an escrow account, in exchange for the withdrawal of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

"The party also insisted on the use of a confidentiality clause to cover it up. 

This feels like a return to the bad old days. 

In the correspondence I received, I saw evidence that this issue was brought to the attention of An Bord Pleanála months ago, but that no further action arose from it at the time."

Ms Bacik called for tougher actions to crack down on "planning corruption" as she said the actions of those who abuse the planning system increase the ultimate price for everyone.

"Those who exploit the planning system for personal gain are not only making a quick buck off developers. They are also profiting at the expense of all those who want to move into a home of their own, but who are locked out due to costs and delays.

"It is incumbent on the State to crack down on such practices, but it seems that is not happening."

Mr O'Brien said he would take "very seriously any suggested amendments to the Planning and Development Bill, including changes to introduce standalone offences.

"I agree completely with the deputy that this matter is urgent but we have to consider this legislation very carefully. I will work with constructive colleagues in the opposition, such as Deputy Bacik."