Call for inquiry into planning permit for developers

A call has been made for an investigation into a decision by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown county council to grant planning permission for a major development to a construction company which subsequently employed the county manager.

Liz O'Donnell (PD, Dublin South) said the council's former manager, Derek Bradym "has recently taken up a senior position with a development company, Alburn Limited".

The company got planning permission in July for the development including 259 apartments and a 24-storey tower in Sandyford Business estate.

"It will be the highest structure in the south of the county," she said. The planning permission is now the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála and had received 100 objections. Ms O'Donnell said that "Mr Brady was the ultimate deciding officer at the time when permission was granted.

Three months later he has taken up a senior and highly paid position with Alburn. The perception of Mr Brady having been in a conflict of interest regarding the development is compelling and requires investigation by the Minister."

She asked: "When was Mr Brady approached regarding his appointment to Alburn. Was it before the granting of permission on July 27th this year? What, if any, was the true relationship between Mr Brady and Alburn Ltd when he was considering its application and the local authority?" She said that if Mr Brady had nothing to hide she was sure he and the company would co-operate with an independent investigation. "It is surely not in Mr Brady's interest to have such a cloud hanging over his long record in public service."

Minister of State for environment Noel Ahern told Ms O'Donnell that a review of the Code of Conduct for council employees and councillors was under "active review in light of experience since its introduction and as part of an assessment of the effectiveness of the regime".