08/12/2015

SF Raises Concerns Over Govt Conduct In Planning Transparency

The government has "serious questions to answer" over allegations it acted to prevent transparency in the planning process.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams raised concerns following allegations of political corruption highlighted in an RTÉ programme.

"Citizens will be deeply angered at the revelations of political corruption highlighted on RTÉ tonight," Mr Adams said.

"The Mahon Tribunal has said that the type of corruption exposed by RTÉ was 'systemic and endemic'.

"However, 18 years after the Mahon Tribunal commenced; three years after it made its final report; and five years after Fine Gael and Labour assumed office, this Government has still not implemented all the recommendations of the Mahon Report.

"In one of his first acts as Minister, Fine Gael's Phil Hogan, since promoted by the Taoiseach to the prestigious position of EU Commissioner, shut down an inquiry into allegations of corruption in several local authorities, initiated by his predecessor.

"The appointment of an Independent Planning Regulator was one of the key recommendations of the Mahon report.

"Sinn Féin introduced a Dáil Private Members motion to do this but the Government voted against it.

"Fine Gael and Labour must now stop opposing robust anti-corruption legislation and the establishment of an independent planning regulator."

(MH/CD)

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