Cianan Brennan: Review will not address the main issue at An Bord Pleanála, its culture

It appears that Remy Farrell's review will be out of date before it is even published

There is no criticism of Remy Farrell: The problem is the emergence of many further significant issues which will be outside the remit of his review. File picture: Collins Courts

We have yet to see the contents of Remy Farrell’s much-anticipated review of the ongoings at An Bord Pleanála, and yet the whole project already feels like it has been an elaborate ruse by Government to take the sting out of the situation and preserve the status quo.

First announced on April 27, the senior counsel’s review was tasked with investigating three specific planning decisions and possible financial conflicts on the part of Paul Hyde, the former deputy chair of An Bord Pleanála and head of its strategic housing division.