An Bord Pleanála Investigation Concludes with No Misbehaviour Found

An independent investigation into governance issues at An Bord Pleanála has concluded without any findings of stated misbehaviour among current or former employees. The inquiry, conducted by senior counsel Lorna Lynch, aimed to address concerns that had erupted in the planning board.

Lorna Lynch’s Report Finds No Misbehaviour

Lorna Lynch’s report, which spans 130 pages, contains no recommendations for disciplinary action against any employees of An Bord Pleanála. The chairman of the board, Peter Mullan, accepted these conclusions fully during an interview on Sunday evening.

“I accept those conclusions in full,” Mullan stated, emphasizing that the findings would help alleviate reputational concerns that had plagued the board. He also mentioned that he was unable to publish the report due to legal reasons.

Specific Issues Examined

One of the key issues investigated was the alleged involvement of an unnamed board member as a decision-maker in cases where they were in personal relationships with board employees. Lynch found insufficient evidence to conclude misbehaviour by this individual.

However, Lynch made a conditional finding on one aspect of these matters, which depended on the specific period of the relationship. Nevertheless, Mullan argued that there were no grounds for a referral to the Minister based on Lynch’s conditional findings.

Paul Hyde’s Resignation and Conviction

Previously, controversy within An Bord Pleanála led to the resignation of the then deputy chairman, Paul Hyde. In 2022, Hyde received a suspended prison sentence for failing to declare his property interests and admitting to two guilty pleas.

Lynch’s report indicated that there were sufficient grounds to refer Hyde to the Minister for his conviction and failure to declare land ownership before its sale. However, being no longer a board member, this referral was deemed unnecessary.

Broader Impact and Future Directions

The turmoil within An Bord Pleanála prompted the Irish government to pass new laws to overhaul the board and rename it An Coimisiún Pleanála. These reforms were aimed at ensuring greater transparency and accountability within the planning body.

Mullan expressed optimism that Lynch’s report would serve as “a line in the sand” concerning reputational concerns. He emphasized that, based on his observations as interim chair and subsequent full-time chairman, there were no current integrity issues within An Bord Pleanála.

Call to Action

We encourage readers to share their thoughts on the investigation and its conclusions. Your insights can contribute to ongoing discussions about governance and accountability within public bodies.

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