The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, is to investigate a number of test cases, of recent planning refusals in Co Mayo.
Mr Fahey gave this commitment to members of the newly formed Rural Planning Action Committee, when he met them at a special meeting in Galway on Monday night.
The meeting in Galway was arranged with the Minister after more than 300 people attended a public meeting on planning issues in Foxford, Co Mayo, on Sunday night last.
The public meeting focused on the number of planning refusals for single dwelling houses around the famous fishing lakes of Lough Conn and Cullin.
In particular, many landowners are angry over what is seen as a blanket ban on development imposed by the North West Regional Fisheries Board in the area of the lakes. Many applicants for planning permission around the lakes successfully get through the rigours of planning with Mayo County Council, but are then denied permission when the Fishery Board appeals these decisions to An Bord Pleanála.
Yesterday's meeting between the action committee and the Minister was also attended by Mayo Fianna Fáil deputy, Ms Beverley Cooper-Flynn, and the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Mr Jimmy Maloney.