asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he has any statement to make in regard to the situation at Greystones, caused by the collapse of a wall which protected a number of houses from the sea; whether he is aware that several families, which include helpless old people and young children, are now without homes; and whether he proposes to take any special measures to relieve the misfortune which has fallen upon these people.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sea's Ravages at Greystones.
This matter is at present receiving the attention of the Wicklow County Board of Health and their engineer. I have been kept informed of the position, but have no statement to make at present.
The only knowledge which the County Board of Health has is a mere report from year to year. They have already expended £2,500 on this wall and further than that they are not prepared to go.
The County Board of Health are awaiting a further report from their engineer.
They merely got a report from the engineer who had been down there that the wall had collapsed.
Is the Minister not going to take any steps which will secure that at least the children and old people who have had to leave their houses will be able to get accommodation somewhere, or are they to be left to the kindness of neighbours? Do the Government not think that they have some responsibility in such a calamity?
My functions and powers in a matter such as the Deputy suggests are very limited and I shall be glad to have a specific recommendation from him as to anything he considers might be done in that particular way.
Is he aware that Deputy O'Kelly yesterday prophesied that the whole country is going to disappear?
I think a jest in such circumstances is in extremely bad taste.
Not from the Deputy who spoke.
Will the Minister extend compulsory powers to the local body with a view to procuring sites for new houses for these people, as the owners of land in that area charge such an exorbitant price for building sites?