I beg to move the Second Reading of this Bill. It is not necessary to go into a very detailed explanation of the Bill. It is to some extent a measure that speaks for itself. The principal thing about the Bill is its urgency.
DUBLIN RECONSTRUCTION (EMERGENCY PROVISIONS) BILL, 1924 (SECOND STAGE).
Since when?
The problem of unemployment in the city is serious at present, and the passage of this Bill will help to relieve that. Dublin has suffered its share in the recent turmoil, particularly in the way of destruction of property. The destruction of property in Dublin ran into several million pounds. Some of that property is of a kind that probably can never be replaced. We cannot completely undo all that destruction, but we can see to it that whatever we do we will do well. Where it is possible to put things back as well as they were before, or where it is possible to improve upon them, we should not hesitate to do it. Dublin in the old days was justly proud of her great central thoroughfare—one of the finest streets in Europe—and we should allow nothing to stand in our way in restoring it to its former proud position, whether by the straightening or widening of the street, or by controlling the general architectural design of the buildings that are going to take the place of the old buildings. Where we can effect an improvement in the street, we should do so. It is with that object in view that rather wide powers are being given to the Dublin Corporation. Power is given to acquire the sites of destroyed property, not only along the borders of streets which it is proposed to widen, but also at the back of those sites, in order that lots of a suitable size and shape for re-building may be acquired.
The main object of the Bill is to compel the owner, before going ahead with the building, to send a copy of his plans to the City Architect, who may require him to make such alterations as he deems necessary, in order to bring the building into harmony with the general architectural design of the street. Power is given to intending builders to borrow money from the Dublin Corporation. The amount of interest charged shall not be more than ten shillings per cent. above what the Corporation can borrow the money for at that particular date, and the term of repayment shall not be a longer term than that for which the Corporation itself can borrow the money. Where an owner neglects to rebuild for a period of two years, the Corporation will have power to sell the property by public auction, with a proviso for re-building, provided a suitable price is obtained. Sites of destroyed property will be exempt from the payment of rates up to the 31st March, 1925. This exemption will not apply in the case of temporary buildings. There is also a provision dealing with licensed premises, that damage to, or destruction of, such premises will not be held as a bar to any renewal of licence. These are the main provisions of the Bill. It is not necessary to discuss them in any great detail, because the Bill is mainly a replica of the 1916 Act, which was introduced in the British House of Commons, and which was an agreed measure in that House.
I am curious to know what the Minister has to say about this Bill in respect to its urgency. I confess that I have not examined the Bill, but I was impressed by the Minister's statement that the chief feature about it was its urgency. I gather that the reason why reconstruction has not been proceeded with up to now is that such a Bill as this had not been in operation. It is quite a long time since the destruction took place, and there have been very many demands made for the work to be begun. Now we are told it is urgent, and that the Bill must be passed into law as an Emergency Bill. It would have been interesting to know from the Minister why this Bill was not brought forward earlier, and to assess the blame for the work not having begun earlier. It seems now that the blame lies with the Department of Local Government for not having brought in this Bill six or twelve months ago.
I do not think it would be a very easy matter to assess the blame or lay it at the feet of any particular individual or body. There are a great many interests concerned in reconstruction here in Dublin, and very many proposals were made. This Bill is a Bill which has come to us practically from the Dublin Corporation, and we received it only a very short, time ago. We had to consult with a great many different agencies before we could agree to introduce the measure. Of course this Bill will facilitate building, but it is not the only obstacle to re-building in Dublin, as I am sure Deputy Johnson is aware.
Question put and agreed to.
Bill read a Second Time; Committee Stage ordered for Wednesday, 7th May.