Elaine Loughlin: Now property developers are the victims of bribery

The Mahon Tribunal, we hope, cleaned up the dirty practice of developers operating in a cosy relationship with political elites, but this week it came as no surprise to the housing minister that 'bribery' is still at play in our planning system

In November 2022 David Hogan was granted permission to build 74 houses but two men appealed, with one later suggesting a ‘proposal’ to withdraw the objection. Picture: RTÉ Investigates

This week, more than a decade after the Mahon Tribunal concluded, it came as no surprise to the housing minister that “bribery” is still at play in our planning system.

While the planning tribunal laid bare a system of developers paying backhanders in exchange for planning approval, it is now the developers who are being targeted for shakedowns.