Six local authorities are facing independent reviews after the emergence of a number of complaints involving alleged irregularities in their planning approvals.

A team of independent experts will conduct the reviews on Dublin City, Galway County, Cork City, Cork County, Carlow and Meath after Minister John Gormley was made aware of the complaints.

Although Minister Gormley said individual planning decisions would not be examined, the processes and systems in operation will come under close scrutiny by the as yet unidentified team.

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The review will assess whether the local authorities in question ignored best planning practice, or their development plans, while the experts can also call for a full-blown investigation of planning policy.

Mr Gormley said: "I believe this review is very important in that it comes alongside a range of other planning reforms. A new planning bill is before the Houses of the Oireachtas, and a range of new planning guidelines have been issued in recent years by the department."

He added: "I am anxious to ensure that these laws and guidelines are implemented in a consistent and transparent manner. This review will be fundamental to ensuring this."

The local authorities will be asked to examine the issues raised with the department and to provide a detailed response within four weeks.

(DW/BMcC)