asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware (i) that the Charleston Road-Castlewood Avenue thoroughfare, Rathmines, Dublin, has been for many years badly in need of resurfacing and constitutes a danger to all who use it; (ii) that some years ago the Dublin Corporation decided that it needed to be widened and that resurfacing should wait until the widening, and took all the necessary steps preparatory to the work; (iii) that his predecessor in the last Administration vetoed the considered plans of the corporation's experts as supported by the streets and town planning committee and suggested an alternative proposal which failed, and still fails, to meet the approval of the corporation's officials, the streets committee or the housing committee; (iv) that some months ago his immediate predecessor met a deputation from the corporation and agreed to reconsider the matter in the light of their representations; and, if so, in view of the necessity to settle this impasse immediately, he will give his immediate approval to the corporation's proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repairs of Dublin Thoroughfare.
I am aware that the position is generally as stated in the several parts of the Deputy's question, but, in regard to the concluding part, I think that the decision already given by the then Minister on the corporation's application has disposed of that application. If the corporation wish to revive the matter officially it is open to them to do so by way of petition for a provisional Order for the compulsory acquisition of the necessary land.
I am having a copy of the Deputy's question and of this reply sent to the corporation for such further consideration as they may wish to give the matter.
Does the Minister not consider that the corporation revived the matter officially by requesting the late Minister to meet a deputation? The late Minister promised to consider the matter again.
The position is that it was open to the corporation to acquire the necessary property by way of petition for a provisional Order.
Mr. A. Byrne
The corporation do not wish to acquire this property, which is a house occupied by four families. The Minister in the last Government insisted on the corporation knocking down this house at the corner of Belgrave Square, but the corporation do not think it is desirable in these days of house scarcity to do so. Will the Minister look into this matter again in order to see if anything can be done to avoid this house being knocked down?
I do not see how they could go ahead with the proposed widening without a clearance.
Mr. A. Byrne
There was an inquiry held and this matter was decided in their favour. On an appeal by some tenant the corporation lost and the suggestion came from your Department, through the Minister of the last Government, to knock down this valuable house. The corporation do not feel inclined, in these days when there is a scarcity of housing, to do that.