Gardaí in Kerry are to be asked to assign an officer to look into allegations by the Mayor of Kerry that money has been extorted from developers by unscrupulous objectors.
Michael Healy-Rae raised the matter on an RTÉ programme in the past fortnight. At yesterday's meeting of Kerry County Council, Independent councillor Brendan Cronin asked about any consequences for the council's planning department if such serious allegations were true.
Cllr Healy-Rae repeated his claim that he was contacted by a constituent who had been "shaken down" for 10,000 euro or punts (he could not remember which denomination) to withdraw an objection. He raised the matter at a local area meeting, giving the planning reference number.
He has also previously said he confronted the objector, threatening to report him to the Revenue Commissioners, and the objection was withdrawn without money changing hands.
Cllr Healy-Rae said he had evidence of another transaction where €100,000 changed hands.
Kerry county manager Tom Curran said the planning process was the most transparent of all the council's processes.
"The integrity of the planning staff is not in question."