In November 2019, my predecessor, the then Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, appointed an authorised person under section 224 of the Local Government Act 2001 to prepare a report into the alleged role, if any, of Dublin City Council regarding payments made to certain individuals for the purpose of facilitating the protection of social housing developments in Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard, Dublin, against anti-social behaviour, intimidation of workers and criminal damage.
This work has been completed and the report by the authorised person remains under consideration within my Department.
I also understand that the matter is the subject of a criminal investigation by An Garda Síochána, which must be allowed to follow its course.