A ruling that a councillor cannot vote on development plans affecting his property is to be challenged by Dublin City Council.
The ruling was made by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) following a complaint against Labour councillor Oisín Quinn.
Mr Quinn had informed council officials that he and his family owned 10 houses in Lr Mount St, but said he was advised he could vote.
However, following a complaint to SIPO, Mr Quinn was found to have contravened the Local Government Act by voting on height and density ratios for the city's development plan.
SIPO found the breaches were minor and that Mr Quinn acted in good faith.
However, a council report presented this evening stated that the ruling could make the process of drawing up a development plan unworkable.
The report, from executive manager Vincent Norton, stated that it is not clear from the ruling when a councillor's beneficial interest could give rise to a conflict of interest.
And failure to comply with the regulations is a criminal offence.
Mr Norton stated that SIPO has not explained its conclusions.
City Manager John Tierney said all the council wanted from the legal action was clarity.
The council has sought a judicial review of SIPO's ruling and the case in which Mr Quinn is a co-applicant will come back before the High Court on 9 October.
Charges to be imposed on leisure 'passport'
Meanwhile, Dublin City Councillors have voted to impose charges on over 55s availing of the council's Passport For Leisure Scheme.
The scheme currently allows free access for older people to the council's sports and fitness centres during restricted hours.
A report from assistant city manager Philip Maguire stated that it is no longer financially reasonable to provide the facilities for free.
It also suggested that the limited hours of access are deterring people from joining the scheme.
His proposal to remove access restriction and impose charges was accepted by a vote of councillors.
From January next, those visiting the main centres at Ballyfermot, Ballymun, Finglas, Markievicz and Rathmines can either pay €2 per visit, €10 a month or €100 a year.
Other centres and the swimming pools in Crumlin, Coolock and Sean McDermott St will have charges of €1 per visit, €5 per month or €50 a year.
