Minister Troy Is Denying Claims Planning Wasn't Sought For Dublin Development

Wednesday, 24 August 2022 15:28

He's also confirmed Dublin City Council advised no planning was required for the wider works.

Junior Minister Robert Troy is denying claims planning wasn't sought for a development in County Dublin, and that a fire safety cert wasn't obtained for the same property.

The allegations, published by On the Ditch, relate to a property on the Rathdown Road, in Phibsboro.

However, in a statement this afternoon, Minister Troy has said advice was sought from an architect engineer on it.

The Junior Minister says an application for a fire safety cert wasn't needed as there was no 'material change' during renovations.

He's also confirmed Dublin City Council advised no planning was required for the wider works, but planning was obtained for a fire escape that was built alongside it.

The statement from Minister Troy says:

We received advice from the architect-engineer that oversaw the development of Rathdown Road, that the building pre-dated the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963 and pre-dated the Building Control Act 1990 and Building Control Regulation 1991.

The advice was as there was no “material change” nor “material change of use” as a result of the renovations carried out, an application for a fire safety certificate was not required under Building Regulations, however, all works were completed to the relevant fire safety regulations including the addition of a fire escape as part of these fire safety measures.

I can also confirm Dublin City Council advised no planning was required for 25a Rathdown Road apart from the planning we obtained for the fire escape. Dublin City Council inspected this property in 2015 and in 2016 and issued a report in September 2016 which recommended no further action was required.

I reiterate again my willingness to engage with SIPO, RTB or a Dáil Committee as suggested by Minister Ryan.

Opposition parties are maintaining the pressure on Longford Westmeath Deputy, over his failure to declare some details of his property interests.

Yesterday he revealed he has a total of 11 properties, including nine rentals - five of which are under the Housing Assistance Payment scheme.

The Fianna Fáil TD also apologised for his errors and insisted he was 'very happy' to address the Dáil next month.