Louth Green Party

"But, if a pattern of non-compliance with its own development plan is established, it is important that lessons are learned, people are held accountable and that new guidelines are put in place," Senator Dearey said.

"While it is much too early to make any judgements on the outcomes of these investigations in Meath, it is fair to say that bad planning and non-compliance with development plans on a consistent basis contributed just as significantly to the property bubble as did bad practice in the banks.

And just as the investigations into banking practices by Professor Honohan have come to very clear conclusions we need similar clarity in the conduct and outcome of these investigations."

Concluding Senator Dearey said, "Only with good planning and strict adherence to properly made development plans can we ensure that some of the excesses of the boom time are never repeated and that communities do not have to live with the legacy of bad planning"