The Progressive Democrats are to challenge the Minister for the Environment Dick Roche in the Seanad today over planning conflicts of interest in local authorities.
Party chairman John Dardis plans to raise concerns about senior planning officials taking up employment with development companies operating in the same local area.
Mr Dardis said he and his fellow PD Senators will tell Mr Roche during their Private Members' Business slot that they are also concerned about management charges imposed on residents in new housing estates.
"We want to know what legal and constitutional restriction might be applied to public and civil servants who take up new employment which may hold a potential for conflict of interest," he said.
The Kildare South senator said he also wanted to know what appropriate measures might be taken to ensure local authorities take charge of housing estates in certain instances.
"What appropriate restrictions can be applied to Local Authorities to prevent the attaching of planning conditions requiring management companies to be established in housing estates?" Noting public concern about the imposition of large development levies by Local Authorities, he will ask how these levies can be monitored and controlled.
Mr Dardis said he also wants to know how full transparency and accountability regarding the spending of these monies can be ensured.
PA