A report in last Friday’s edition quoted Aidan Culhane, special adviser to Minister of State for Planning Jan O’Sullivan (and to her predecessor Willie Penrose), as endorsing the view of officials in the Department of the Environment that “no investigation under (section 255 of) the (2000 Planning and Development) Act is required”.
This was taken out of context. His memo of September 7th last said these were the “initial indications”, but added: “I’m not sure we can say that just yet, but officials should be instructed that where there is any doubt about maladministration or lack of confidence in the system, they should recommend s.255 investigations. Underlying s.255 is the notion of public confidence, and it is vital that this is maintained.”