Mick Clifford: Refusal to publish reports into An Bord Pleanála not likely to instill confidence

While the housing minister is introducing some measures to reform An Bord Pleanála, the problems go far beyond issues of management fuzziness, writes Mick Clifford

Everybody wants to see a functioning ABP, particularly as planning is a key component in tackling the housing crisis. This can be achieved by addressing the problems that arose and reassuring staff that the issues have been fully and transparently dealt with. 

Nothing more to see here, folks — everything is sorted. 

So it would appear to go with the approach of Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien to the controversies that have engulfed An Bord Pleanála (ABP). However, the Irish Examiner has seen correspondence that is in direct conflict with such a view.