asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will recommend to the Local Authority the desirability of providing suitable sites for those at present engaged in street trading in Dublin; if he is aware that a suitable site is available at the rere of premises in South Great George's Street, and that if acquired and made suitable, the traders are prepared to pay a reasonable rent for allotted spaces; further, if he is aware that since the opening up of the new road from Gloucester Street into O'Connell Street the vehicular traffic through Parnell Street has been considerably reduced, and, if in view of this reduction, he will see that the street traders in that district shall not be disturbed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - STREET-TRADING SITES.
As regards the first part of the question relating to South Great George's Street, legal proceedings are pending. As to the question generally, I am assured that the local authority has given it the fullest possible consideration.
Would the Minister answer that portion of the question in which he is asked if he is aware that a suitable site for street traders is available at the rere of premises in South Great George's Street, for which, if acquired, the street traders would pay rent?
I have heard that there is such a site, but the Minister for Local Government has no function in the matter.
Has the Minister for Local Government no power to recommend to the City Commissioners, who are really responsible to his Department, the advisability of taking over this site, and, by so doing, bringing to an end the legal proceedings against, and the persecution of, these unfortunate traders?
The matter is one which I consider should be left to the Commissioners themselves.