asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if his attention has been called to the neglect and refusal of the County Council of the County of Cork to maintain several courthouses in that county, including Skibbereen, Mallow and other places; if he is aware that the County Council has put forward as an excuse for their neglect and refusal an allegation that same has been due to the impossibility of obtaining a reply from his Department to applications for sanction for heating and light supplied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maintenance of Cork Courthouses.
The position is not as indicated in the question. On the contrary, the Department has replied promptly to all communications.
Is the Minister aware that the Cork County Council has for a period of twelve months steadily refused to pay their bills and carry out their statutory obligations and that they have placed on record as an excuse for their default that the Department of Local Government has refused to reply to their communications and to give them the sanction they ask for?
I am not aware of the condition of things alleged by the Deputy. I am aware that replies have been sent and I have here a copy of a reply that was sent. I will send a copy of that reply to the Deputy. It is too long to read now. The facts are not as laid down in the question.
I suppose I may accept the Minister's statement. If he finds that this body has refused to carry out its statutory duties to the great inconvenience of the public, will the Minister take steps to dissolve it?