An Bord Pleanála’s chair apologises over Fred Logue comments

It had been reported that Ms Buckley told the Irish Planning Institute conference that Mr Logue’s firm had sought half of judicial reviews against the board and that this proved to be lucrative business.

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said at the Public Accounts Committee that the remarks were “shooting the messenger”.

Ms Buckley said: “I’m very sorry that I became the story, that should not have been the case. And I’m very sorry I namechecked somebody who was not in the room to answer to those questions, I shouldn’t have done that.

“And I have to learn a lesson from that which is not to namecheck people.

“And secondly, in future I have to understand that in this role people are interested in everything I say, and I should write a script and I should stick to that script.”

Ms Buckley said she agreed with Mr Logue’s position that there was going to be a lot of litigation in the space.

“I was saying I agree with this gentleman and what he says and the context in which I’m saying that was saying An Bord Pleanála hasn’t been very good at adapting to this environment.”

Mr Logue, one of Ireland’s most successful planning lawyers, accepted the apology and said he has the greatest respect for An Bord Pleanála.

“I also respect the progress she has made in restoring the integrity of the institution. Hopefully everyone can now move forward, everyone wants a well-functioning planning system.”