On 15 February, the retired journalist, Frank McDonald, wrote to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, regarding a disturbing pattern which he had noticed when reviewing the minutes of the meetings of An Bord Pleanála. He noticed that "Decisions on SHD schemes, particularly those of a high-rise nature, were made by panels of three that consistently included two particular board members rather than being allocated randomly among board members, contrary to assurances given to the Oireachtas by previous chairpersons of An Bord Pleanála". This is a very serious allegation. The random allocation of files to board members was one of the key mechanisms used by An Bord Pleanála to ensure the fairness of and confidence in the planning system. Are these specific allegations, regarding files on strategic housing development schemes not being allocated randomly, under investigation?

Given the seriousness of the matter raised by the Deputy, I will ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to refer to him directly. We take very seriously the integrity of An Bord Pleanála, the justified reputation for integrity which it does have. I am confident in its decisions and how it makes them, but I accept that the Deputy is raising an important point. I do not have a detailed note available on that matter raised but I will ask the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, about it and ask him to respond to the Deputy.