Planning controversy statement
Deputy Bacik raised the lack of a statement on the former Minister of State’s resignation and the wider planning controversy, saying many affected people still lacked answers.
It is nearly three weeks since the former Minister of State, Deputy English, resigned but no statement has been made in this House about the reasons for that. On two occasions, I have raised with the Taoiseach what further action he intends to take. A fortnight ago, he responded to me that party matters are separate and that Fine Gael has a party disciplinary process. Last week, he said it was a matter for Meath County Council and not the Government. Meanwhile, thousands of people across the country who gave accurate information on planning applications and were refused permission to build homes will be rightly asking what is going to happen next and asking us questions about what is to happen. Will the former Minister of State, Deputy English, be making a statement to the House? What action does the Taoiseach propose to take on this? I have raised this on two occasions and sought a response from the Taoiseach. I am raising it one final time.