Yesterday, along with other Opposition speakers I called for a debate this week on the operation of An Bord Pleanála. I am asking the Minister to commit to having that debate at least before the summer recess. We are all conscious that the drip-feed of allegations about impropriety or conflicts of interest have the potential to undermine seriously public confidence in our planning and construction system. This is at a time when the President has rightly described us as having a housing disaster and has referred to our housing policy as a series of failures, which is a matter of real concern.

We are all conscious that the Minister ordered an inquiry by Remy Farrell SC and that the six-week period within which the report is to be provided to him concludes at the end of this week. We are all concerned that we will not have time before the summer recess to see that report and to have a debate on it in this House. In the context where an internal interview is also under way into the same allegations of An Bord Pleanála, it is incumbent that we have a commitment from the Government to having a debate on this.

I thank Deputy Bacik for her question. Obviously, the independence of the board and the position the board has are of crucial importance. I take the allegations very seriously in that regard. That is why a number of reviews and investigations are happening, including the specific one by Remy Farrell SC. I have not yet received the report. I know there was a vote in the Dáil yesterday to have a debate on this in advance of getting the report. If we are reasonable, which the Deputy is being, we need to be able to get the report and review it. I would welcome input from others when we have that report. Should I be in a position to publish it - I see no reason why I would not be - it would be appropriate at the correct time to have a debate, but obviously not in advance of the report being sent to me and being considered. I will keep the House informed of the progress in that regard.

The Minister is due to receive that report six weeks after it was initiated, which is tomorrow. Is it on course to be delivered to him tomorrow? How long will it take for him to review it and to inform us what actions he will take on foot of the report? What will the Government do to ensure that all the allegations in the public domain will be properly investigated?

There have been some comments that the terms of reference for the senior counsel review are somewhat restricted. They are not at all. Term 5(a) states the senior counsel "shall exercise such discretion in relation to the scope of his examination of the matters of concern as he considers necessary and appropriate". Term 5(b) adds further to that. Where other allegations have come into the public domain, they are also being investigated. I have not received the report which is due within six weeks. The senior counsel can, if he sees fit, seek an extension to that if more work is being undertaken or if he has not concluded his work. I have not yet received a request to extend the timeframe. If I do, I will certainly let the House and spokespeople know. As for how long will it take me to review the report when we get it, I do not know the scale or size of the report yet. Let me receive it first. I will keep Deputies informed the progress.