Phil Hogan scraps independent inquiry into planning irregularities

[Dr. FIVE]

Lengthy letter today

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...319635437.html

[Stanley 2]

Lengthy letter today

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...319635437.html

Excellent letter

[PaddyJoe]

So now the DOE intends to appoint an "independent planning expert' to examine its review of planning in seven local authorities. This expert is to be appointed in September and must report by the end of the year. Sounds like another delaying tactic, doesn't it?
Why not just publish the damm thing? It's already been downgraded to an internal review rather than the independent review that John Gormley planned in 2010.

The expert will be asked to consider issues such as communication of planning policy; the keeping of pre-planning application records; the submission of draft local area plans by individuals and groups; the role of structured dialogue between planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála; the means by which socioeconomic considerations can be central to the decision-making process in relation to a planning application; and any remaining gaps or inconsistencies in the existing package of statutory guidelines.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...321373437.html

[DCon]

Sounds like another delaying tactic, doesn't it?

And a well paid job for one of Phil's buddies suffering from the lack of a property boom

[Dr. FIVE]

Already been published. Posted a few pages back.

The idea is have 'independent' review of the internal review,

[C. Flower]

Excellent letter

Just reading this for the first time.

Giving unqualified people the job of reviewing planning refusals for "one - off" rural houses after they have been assessed by planners seems very dubious indeed.

Planning decisions are not meant to be based on the economic circumstances of the applicant.

Cork's big mistake, tbh, was that they made this process official, so it was picked up on in the enquiry. Most Councils would overturn planners' recommendations at times, but would do it more discretely, at Senior management level.

[PaddyJoe]

You really couldn't make it up. Neck like a jockey's ******

MALPRACTICE PERPETRATED by local authority councillors has reinforced the need for local government reform, Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan has said.

He told conference delegates, who represent town and city councillors, that his own experience as a councillor, TD and Minister had made him acutely aware of the “many deep-seated shortcomings” in the local government system.

The performance of elected members had on occasion “failed to inspire confidence”, he told councillors, particularly “instances of malpractice as, for example reported by the Mahon tribunal”.

Mr Hogan was speaking last night at the annual conference of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland in Ballinasloe...

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...324049520.html

[DCon]

Big Phil gets a mention at a FF fundraiser

Justin McCarthy ‏@JustinTodayFM

Micheal Martin tells FF fundraiser in Dublin Phil Hogan "is the gift that keeps on giving". #FF #fiannafail

[Dr. FIVE]

FF, the gits that keep on taking

[PaddyJoe]

Big Phil gets a mention at a FF fundraiser

Didn't somebody say that he wants to be a EC?
Good career move front running the torches and pitchforks..

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

They might be a bit more wary of Irish EU commissioners in Brussels these days ever since they became aware of their propensity for corruption at levels that shock even EU bureaucrats. And that takes some doing.

McCreevy was forced to step down because he was obviously as bent as a nine bob note.

[Dr. FIVE]

back on the agenda today

[Dr. FIVE]

a milestone

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/envir...shed-1.1385028

[Simonsays]

a milestone

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/envir...shed-1.1385028

It is a really interesting idea - having a regulator with the ability to assess every forward planning function of the local authorities, with an office staffed by professional planners, and with his or her advice published, meaning that a minister will have to justify any rejection of the regulator's advice. If it was just a regulator on his or her own, then it could fall into unprofessionalism of the sort we see all the way through Ireland's idiotic planning system. But it is very good idea for him or her to have as their staff people who have worked with An Bord Pleanala and so have worked in an organisation with a history of standing up to local authorities, and to have the regulator's recommendations published so everyone can see in public what the recommendations are. If the regulator is not up to the job we will be able to see that in real time and challenge him or or her. If the minister rejects advice he or she will be able to be challenged on it.

Local authorities will not like this new system - that is for sure. Quite a few of them actually would love to see An Bord Pleanala wound up for getting in their way, rather than see another professional layer of planning put in place, one that unlike Bord Pleanala will be a constant analyser of their actions and not simply asked to intervene where an appeal is made. A lot of councillors across all parties were mega pissed off with Hogan over abolishing the town councils. Their anger is going to be of nuclear level over now having a regulator with the hated Bord Pleanala staff as backup. *evil laugh*

[DCon]

It is a really interesting idea - having a regulator with the ability to assess every forward planning function of the local authorities, with an office staffed by professional planners, and with his or her advice published, meaning that a minister will have to justify any rejection of the regulator's advice. If it was just a regulator on his or her own, then it could fall into unprofessionalism of the sort we see all the way through Ireland's idiotic planning system. But it is very good idea for him or her to have as their staff people who have worked with An Bord Pleanala and so have worked in an organisation with a history of standing up to local authorities, and to have the regulator's recommendations published so everyone can see in public what the recommendations are. If the regulator is not up to the job we will be able to see that in real time and challenge him or or her. If the minister rejects advice he or she will be able to be challenged on it.

Local authorities will not like this new system - that is for sure. Quite a few of them actually would love to see An Bord Pleanala wound up for getting in their way, rather than see another professional layer of planning put in place, one that unlike Bord Pleanala will be a constant analyser of their actions and not simply asked to intervene where an appeal is made. A lot of councillors across all parties were mega pissed off with Hogan over abolishing the town councils. Their anger is going to be of nuclear level over now having a regulator with the hated Bord Pleanala staff as backup. *evil laugh*

Simon approves of FG policy shocker!

“ This advice will be published. The final decision to act will rest with the Minister of the day, and the Minister will be accountable to the Oireachtas for his or her decision”.

Ministers are not accountable to the Oireachtas now, so the above is pathetic spin