Pringle again presses Government to publish Mulcahy report

By Thomas Pringle
Updated: 25th February 2022

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has again called for publication of the Mulcahy report, criticizing the “veil of secrecy” around mica and planning matters in Donegal.

Addressing the Dáil yesterday (Thursday), Deputy Pringle said: “Yesterday, in the Irish Examiner, Aoife Grace Moore reported on the continuing controversy surrounding Donegal County Council’s acquisition of five houses, that, as a council engineer stated in writing prior to purchase approval: ‘have mica and will require significant remedial work.’

“At the crux of the matter is openness, transparency and accountability, and whether or not proper procedures and due diligence was followed,” he said.

Deputy Pringle raised the issue with the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, during Thursday’s Questions on Promised Legislation.

The deputy said: “Yet, it’s not the only murky cloud that hangs over Donegal County Council. The Mulcahy report, commissioned in 2015, has been gathering dust on the Minister’s desk for over five years now. Over 40 times members of this house, which ironically includes the present Minister himself, have called for its publication, but to no avail.”

The Mulcahy report looks at alleged planning irregularities in Donegal.

The deputy said he has raised more than 35 parliamentary questions and submitted two Freedom of Information requests on the mica issue over this Dáil term.

Deputy Pringle said: “The standard of replies to most leave a lot to be desired.

“The veil of secrecy surrounding mica and planning matters in Donegal is destroying trust in public administration in the county,” he said.

Deputy Pringle asked the Tánaiste: “Will you commit to publishing the Mulcahy report in full and urge your fellow ministers to embrace a culture of openness?”

The Tánaiste said he will raise the issue with Minister O’Brien and Minister Burke and ask them to come back to Deputy Pringle directly.