The Ditch editors

Landlord Fianna Fáil minister lets one-bed flat for more than €1,500 a month – 72 percent above HAP rates

During a cost-of-living crisis that’s hitting private tenants harder than most, a Fianna Fáil minister is letting a one-bed flat for €1,550 a month.

An Bord Pleanála unlawfully determined 65 percent of strategic housing alteration cases

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) unlawfully ruled on 65 percent of cases involving alterations to strategic housing developments (SHDs) – affecting over 12,000 residential units. SHDs, currently being phased out, are fast-tracked developments of 100 or more residential units.

An Bord Pleanála's Michelle Fagan overruled inspector to greenlight development brought by ex-employee

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) board member Michelle Fagan granted permission for a development brought by a former employee of hers – overruling an ABP inspector in the process.

Ex-Bord Pleanála chief Hyde approved developments involving son of his Fine Gael senator uncle

Ex-Bord Pleanála (ABP) deputy chairperson Paul Hyde twice granted planning permission in cases involving his cousin – the son of a former Fine Gael Senator.

Cocaine operation discovered at headquarters of HSE partner Healthcare Abroad

A cocaine operation was discovered at the Irish headquarters of a company organising healthcare for Irish patients in Spain in partnership with the HSE.

An Bord Pleanála chairperson determined application without legally required third board member

An Bord Pleanála chairperson Dave Walsh and his deputy determined case without legal requirement of third board member

Two more Bord Pleanála board members. More votes on developments in their own neighbourhoods

Two further Bord Pleanála (ABP) board members voted on at least three developments in their own neighbourhoods.

An Bord Pleanála board member Michelle Fagan decided up to 26 planning cases in single meetings

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) board members Michelle Fagan and Paul Hyde were deciding up to 26 planning cases at meetings held without a third board member.

An Bord Pleanála board members voted unanimously in almost all strategic housing applications

When considering controversial strategic housing developments (SHD), Bord Pleanalála (ABP) board members only disagreed with each other twice out of almost 400 applications.

No one in Eamon Ryan’s department working on achieving net-zero emissions in state’s energy supply

Eamon Ryan’s policy adviser admitted in a private meeting that no one in the Green Party leader’s ministerial department is working on a plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in Ireland’s whole energy supply by 2050.

Just two Bord Pleanála board members voted on disputed Intel development – three required legally

Just two Bord Pleanála (ABP) board members refused a challenge against a controversial Intel expansion in county Kildare – despite there being a legal requirement for three board members to make such decisions.

A further 15 further cases of Bord Pleanála board member Fagan voting in her Rathmines neighbourhood

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) board member Michelle Fagan voted on a further 15 planning applications in her own Dublin neighbourhood. One of these developments was just 90 metres from her own home.