“agreed that a Notice of Opinion to refuse should be issued..”

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The Causeway row looks set to continue. Prompted by an apparent leak from the Assembly’s Environment Committee by Sinn Féin MLA Daithí McKay, the BBC report that, as had been hinted at, the Planning Service Management Board had told the minister that they “agreed that a Notice of Opinion to refuse” the application by Seymour Sweeney should be issued in June 2007.. 2 months before the Environment minister announced that she was minded to “of a mind to approve the application”. The question remains – Why was the minister “of a mind to approve” that application at that time? Especially when she eventually agreed to issue a notice of opinion to refuse? And if there was influence.. to whose benefit was it brought?According the Sinn Féin press statement

Mr McKay said:

“One of the papers which the Minister refused to disclose to the Environment Committee was a memo from Planning Manager Tom Clarke to her office on 1st June 2007.

“This memo clearly states that the Planning Service Management Board had finalised its consideration of the Seaport application and “agreed that a Notice of Opinion to refuse should be issued”.

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