Michael Smith, whose anonymous 1995 advertisement in The Irish Times seeking information on land rezoning corruption was a catalyst for the planning tribunal, has welcomed its recognition that “corruption was endemic in the planning process”. However, he said many findings and recommendations were disappointing.
“On the evidence before it, the tribunal could have found more corruption. In many cases, it only found impropriety or inappropriateness and failed to come to conclusions.”
Mr Smith said councillors were still “flouting their own plans” and needed to be held to account for this. He said it would be better if an independent body, such as An Bord Pleanála, “vetted” all zoning recommendations.
