Parties seek clarification from Ahern in planning case

Opposition parties have called on the Taoiseach to clarify his position to the Dáil after allegations he interfered in the planning process in Co Roscommon last month.

Responding to a newspaper article, Mr Ahern, this morning categorically refuted the claim that he interfered in the process, calling it a "disingenuous charge".

The Irish Independentarticle that said his office asked an official at the Planning Enforcement section of Roscommon County Council last month to put proceedings "on hold" in respect of a quarry near Athleague until the owner had completed medical treatment.

The report said neither the quarry owner, nor the operators of the site, complied with local authority stipulations and so the County Council moved to initiate legal proceedings.

In the Dáil this morning, in the absence of Mr Ahern, questions were taken by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith. The Minister refused to allow extra time for the matter to be addressed, accusing Opposition parties of lacking compassion.

I want to unequivocally state that my only motivation in making representation on this matter was from a compassionate perspective. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern

The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, sought an extra 30 minutes of Dáil business to "allow for an explanation from the Taoiseach".

Labour Party leader Mr Pat Rabbitte agreed, adding: "I think it is important that the matter be clarified before the House rises."

Mr Trevor Sargent of the Green Party said it was "important that we don't let this House rise for Christmas" with a cloud hanging over it.

In refusing to allow extra time to discuss the matter Mr Smith said:  "I was under the impression we were in the season of goodwill but it seems to me that there isn't an ounce of compassion across the floor for an individual suffering from cancer and getting chemotherapy."

In a statement issued early this morning by Mr Ahern's office, the Taoiseach said he "categorically" refuted "this disingenuous charge" that he interfered in the planning process.

The statement said that on November 10th last, Mr Kevin Murray attended a constituency clinic in Mr Ahern's office in Drumcondra. The clinic was taken by Senator Cyprian Brady, in Mr Ahern's absence.

"Mr Murray informed Senator Brady that he and his brother, Brian, had opened a quarry at Scrine, Rahara, Roscommon, and that this was the subject of an unauthorised development case concerning Roscommon county council," the statement said..

"At the clinic Mr Murray stated that his brother was at that time attending St Lukes hospital receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. He made the point that the case with Roscommon county council was causing a lot of stress for his brother at a time when he was receiving serious medical attention.

The statement continues: "Mr Murray asked if there was any possibility that, on humanitarian grounds, the case could be put on hold until his brother's treatment had finished."

Mr Ahern said that on November 12th a letter was sent from his constituency office to the planning enforcement officer of Roscommon County Council, Ms Marion O'Grady, asking her to put legal proceedings on hold "until Brian's treatment is complete".

"I want to unequivocally state that my only motivation in making representation on this matter was from a compassionate perspective," the Taoiseach said this morning.

"It is a blatant distortion of the truth to suggest that I, in anyway, sought to interfere in the planning process. At no time did I seek to influence the council's decision regarding the unauthorised development case.

"My involvement related solely to a request that the matter would be put on hold until Mr Brian Murray had completed his medical attention. This was done on humanitarian grounds," he said.