asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that a very large dance hall was built within the past year at George's Street, Mitchelstown, County Cork, and that a substantial addition was recently made to it; and, if so, whether he will state (a) whether a building licence was granted by his Department for the erection of the hall and the addition, and if not, what action was taken by his Department in the matter and what explanation, if any, received; and (b) the source of supply of the corrugated asbestos which was used in the roofing of the hall at a time when farmers could not obtain it for use in farm buildings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mitchelstown Dance Hall.
I am aware that a dance hall was built at George's Street, Mitchelstown, County Cork, within the past year. A building licence was not issued to authorise the work. Legal proceedings were instituted and the promoter was convicted and fined.
It has been reported to me that an addition to this dance hall has been built and inquiries are being made in the matter.
I do not exercise any control over the distribution of corrugated asbestos and I have no information as to the source of supply of any of the materials used in the erection of the hall.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the proprietor of this dance hall, irrespective of what happened, carried on and has built a very substantial addition to the dance hall? Did the Parliamentary Secretary's Department take any action against him with regard to this? With your permission, this is an edition of The Kerryman I have here——
The Deputy may not read the paper now.
In The Kerryman there is a very nice puff for this dance hall and I am not convinced at all——
Has the Deputy a supplementary question to ask? If he has, he had better ask it.
I do not want to make a speech.
The Deputy is making a very good effort. If he has a question, would he please put it?
I have something to say in that regard. The Department have not at all carried out their obligations to the people of this country, in line——
The Deputy has not asked the supplementary question yet.
I thought I did. I thought I asked the Parliamentary Secretary whether he did anything to prevent this proprietor from doing further building operations as regards this dance hall.
Did the Deputy not get an invitation to the opening night?
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether he is aware that the inadequacy of the fines in respect of matters of this nature is causing the law to be flouted every day?
The Deputy will get no case to defend.
In reply to Deputy Keane's supplementary question, proceedings were taken against the person concerned and a conviction was secured and a penalty imposed. In so far as work has subsequently been carried on at the dance hall, inquiries are being pursued to see to what extent it has been carried out.
What was the amount of the penalty?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the proprietor of this dance hall has flouted every Departmental regulation and is still carrying on building in that dance hall and has been doing so since the proceedings were instituted against him? Will the Parliamentary Secretary state what exactly he is going to do?
As I have told the Deputy, inquiries are being made and, when the facts are ascertained, whatever action is necessary will be taken.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Deputy's own licensed premises are very close to this dance hall?
That also is irrelevant.