The Clare man newly appointed to An Bord Pleanala has expressed his confidence that corruption has not occurred in planning practices in the county.
Architect Michael Leahy is one of four new appointees to the planning appeals board, and joins the body as the planning process at several local authorities including Galway County Council comes under close scrutiny in light of the Mahon report.
In recent months, Mr Leahy has been actively opposed a proposed retail development on the outskirts of Ennis, but says it’s unlikely he will deal with any planning appeals from the county.
He also feels that problems within the planning system, exposed by the Mahon Tribunal, are not as widespread as some believe.
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