The Department of the Environment says that it has received reports of investigations into planning irregularities from more than half the country's 34 local Authorities. The Minister for the Environment, Noel Dempsey, asked the authorities in January to review their planning files. Yesterday, Kerry County Council's Senior Engineer, Donal Mangan, was suspended for a week following an investigation of alleged irregularities.
Sligo County Council has confirmed that two investigations were instigated, following Minister Dempsey's request for a review of planning files. The reports of those investigations have been submitted to the Minister. According to a statement, the first investigation involved a member of staff on a career break from the council who had submitted planning applications to local authorities in the region, including one to Sligo County Council. Having examined the matter, Manager Hubert Kearns concluded that the official had no case to answer, as the person had taken a career break specifically to go into private practice. The official had never worked in the planning department.
According to the statement, the second investigation arose from information volunteered by a junior planning official who had submitted planning applications in another county. It said that no applications were submitted by this official to Sligo County Council. Following the investigation, the official was informed that his activities constituted formal breaches of the regulations and a warning letter was issued. The official has informed the other Planning Authority concerned that he is no longer an agent for these applications.
In a separate development, Limerick County Council said today that an investigation into an allegation that council officers had engaged in undeclared work had turned out to be malicious. The investigation into preparing and submitting planning applications began after a named person had made allegations against a number of officers. Further inquiries showed that the person who allegedly made the complaint did not actually exist.
The statement added that the Council is satisfied that all officials are aware of their obligations regarding restrictions on private employment. A copy of their inquiry has been sent to the Minister for the Environment. In a separate development, Limerick Corporation has indicated that it carried out a similar inquiry in response to a request by the Minister for the Environment. The City Manager, Brendan Keating, is satisfied that no official is carrying out work incompatible with his or her duties. It has also sent a copy of their inquiry to the Minister.
