The property developer, Jim Mansfield, has said he is technically in breach of regulations in regard to work on the controversial development of a €50m convention centre at the CityWest Hotel in Dublin.
Substantial works have been carried out, although planning permission for the centre is under appeal to An Bord Pleanála by An Taisce.
Speaking on RTÉ's News At One, Mr Mansfield said he should have waited before beginning work.
He said he had decided to proceed with work as he believed that no objections had been made in the first five weeks after the decision to grant planning last November and that no one could appeal at that stage. He said his decision was at his own risk.
The Heritage Officer of An Taisce, Ian Lumley, said his organisation is concerned that questions raised by three public authorities about the lack of an archaeological report, the impact on traffic and the lack of public transport were not addressed properly in the decision to grant permission.
He also said An Taisce is also concerned that the development is being carried out pre-emptively.
