Paul Murphy: Calls to widen Unblord Planola review
Paul Murphy raised concerns about scandals at the very top of Unblord Planola and criticised the published terms of reference as too narrow. He argued the review excludes multiple alleged conflicts, including a 2019 co-living approval involving Mr Paul Hyde, and asked whether the scope should be broadened.
Terms of reference criticised
The terms of reference of the review have been published and they leave a lot to be desired, Murphy said. He noted they are extremely narrow, dealing with only three particular decisions of the Board and only one Board member, Mr Paul Hyde.
Alleged conflicts and excluded cases
Murphy highlighted a 2019 case in which Mr Hyde approved a co-living development by Bartra and Dunleary where his brother's firm produced the fire safety report without declaring a conflict of interest. He said at least five other similar cases are not included in the current terms of reference and that new revelations about another Board member may emerge.
Call to broaden the probe
Murphy asked whether the terms of reference should be broadened to include the broader conduct of the Board. He put the question directly to colleagues, pressing the point that the limited scope leaves many issues unexamined.
Response on investigation and due process
A response on the floor acknowledged that these are serious allegations and said serious allegations should be investigated seriously. The reply stressed that people are entitled to fair procedure and that it is now a matter for Minister O'Brien to consider whether to extend the scope of the existing investigation or find another way to examine the issues.
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I want to ask about the scandals at the very top of Unblord Planola. The terms of reference of the review have been published and they leave a lot to be desired. They are extremely narrow, dealing with only three particular decisions of the Board and only one of the Board members, Mr Paul Hyde. The terms of reference do not include the 2019 case, where Mr Hyde approved a deeply unpopular co-living development by Bartra and Dunleary, on which his brother's firm had been employed to produce the fire safety report without declaring any conflict of interest or at least five other similar cases, nor does it include the broader conduct of the Board. I understand new revelations will emerge in the next days about the conduct of another member of the Board on board Planola. The question is whether you agree that the terms of reference now need to be broadened to include the broader conduct of the Board. Thanks very much, Deputy. I responded to a question on this from Deputy Callahan maybe about half an hour ago, so I do not want to expand too much on what I said then, but I do want to reiterate that these are serious allegations. and serious allegations should be investigated seriously, but also people are entitled to fair process and due process and fair procedure and that will happen, so this is really a matter now for Minister O'Brien to consider as to whether he thinks it is appropriate or not to extend the scope of the existing investigation or find another way to have them examined.
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