In connection with this Question, No. 73 on to-day's Order Paper, I wish to say, first of all, that I was surprised at the Minister's answer and, secondly, that I was amazed at the flippant way in which he dealt with the supplementary. He stated in his written reply to-day, of which I have a copy, that the site was unsuitable for a housing scheme. In reply to a supplementary he said he did not know the area and when I mentioned about the local architect recommending the site he answered: "Doctors may differ."
Whatever about the discussion that has continued here all day until 11.30 p.m., this matter, which unfortunately I am forced to move on the Adjournment to-night, is far removed from any discussion that may go on between the different political Parties. Carrigaline, where this site was selected, is in part of the parish where I live. Let me now inform the Minister that it is only natural for me to be fully conversant with all the facts about it and with the location of the site. I am glad to say that there is another member here to-night who can verify what I say in regard to the site.
In company with Mr. O'Flynn, a local architect from Cork City, a gentleman responsible for many architectural buildings not alone in Cork but in many other parts of the country, and in company with Deputy Seán MacCarthy, we visited this locality some time back. We interviewed the owner and may I say in passing that there is full credit due to the owner of the land, Mr. Johnston, for giving this site to us by voluntary agreement for the building of 22 houses in this locality.
The reasons for the rejection will naturally be interesting to me, although the Minister to-day refused to give them. Consider that this site was recommended by the architect, Mr. O'Flynn, as a very suitable site for building. Consider that it is situated in such a locality that public lighting and public water supply are available and that leading to it is a roadway of at least 20 feet wide. Around the site are many other buildings, privately owned houses, and also, just across from it, a matter of a few feet at the other side of the roadway, is the local courthouse. Let the Minister not tell us, therefore, that it is an isolated place or hard to get at. I hope the Minister will not say that the cost of building there would be expensive, considering that there is no need to supply lighting or water supplies, as they are available and considering also that it is an excellently level site.
When these points are taken into consideration, it is natural for me to wonder why the Minister's reply should state to-day that this site is unsuitable for a housing scheme. The architect, and also Deputy MacCarthy, know that site as well as I do and myself, who for many years back, being employed in the building, had occasion to know at least a little about such matters. I, therefore, fail to understand why such a thing should happen in the Department that this site has been rejected. What I say here to-night I say without fear of contradiction. I am sorry the Minister has not seen the site, as perhaps what I say may seem hurtful. I cannot help the Minister in that, as if the Minister wishes to stand over other matters which may have a direct bearing on the rejection of this site, it is not my fault. It is the fault of the Minister if he takes such advice. Let me say at this stage that I honestly believe there is no fault due to the officials who rejected the site. I will come to that point later, as to why I am not laying any blame or responsibility at the foot of any such official.
When we selected this site, we left the area and travelled on further to get other houses. We left Carrigaline village, happy to know we had an excellent site, by the full agreement of the landowner, which meant that we would be able to build 22 houses to house the decent working people in that area. It would mean that if the Minister had sanctioned this site we could, within the next few months, at the latest, advertise for tenders for building and we knew that, because of the convenience of the site and the facilities available, we would have no trouble in finding contractors to tender for the work, and we knew also that there would be plenty of competition between builders to work on this suitable site. We were not long left Carrigaline when an approach was made by a certain individual to the landowner, offering to buy this field where we had marked the site. Such an offer has been rejected, of course. Even if it had been agreed to, we would naturally have had prior claim.
When this offer failed, and when this individual who tried to buy this field —he himself is a builder—failed to secure it, in order to keep 22 families from being housed near his private residence, he then decided to travel further afield—to the residence of the chairman of the South Cork Board of Health, Deputy Martin Corry. I am breaking no confidence whatsoever when I say here that Deputy Corry approached me and asked me if it would not be possible to build an alternative site in this village. I asked him where. He mentioned a certain field —a field that we had seen, Deputy MacCarthy as well as I—covered with rushes, which naturally is a true indication that there is water in that field, as we know there is.
That failed. We included the site in the C.P.O., believing then that everything would be all right. When the C.P.O. was made, by law that had to be published in the paper. That gave to every individual, whoever he may be, the right to object to that C.P.O. if he so wished.
This individual failed to object. This individual found it more suitable to work still under cover. No objection came the way and everything was made clear up to that stage. Then when the matter travelled up here to await the final report from the Minister we could again see the dead hand of the individual behind the scenes.
I could see the hand of the individual who got the support of the chairman of the South Cork Board, a member of the Minister's own Party, an individual who came to Carrigaline some years ago, an individual who stated in that village to some of his old cronies that if these 22 houses were built in that locality then he would leave his house and sell it because it would not suit to have working people living so near-by. That is all that is behind this objection. I am sorry that Deputy Corry is not here. Had he been here he could not contradict that. He knew, as I knew for months back, what was going on. I do not know if the Minister knew anything of that. If he had known perhaps he might not have acted as he did, but I believe, that suggestion having been put and the Minister having acted on it, that he must now take the responsibility.
We are not finished with it in South Cork. Even now when the Minister says that we may select an alternative site it means, if an objection comes to that site as it well can, that the people in that locality instead of having their houses erected within the next few months may have to wait a few years— all because it has affected the position of one person.
The Minister may suggest perhaps that it is what they call a cul-de-sac. I wonder. Is it not right to say that in the Twenty-Six Counties day after day year after year people are getting Government grants to build houses in culs-de-sac? Even if not, can it be suggested that a site approached by a road at least 20 feet wide, a site within a few yards of the local courthouse, a site near other buildings, can be classified as a place unsuitable for building?
I am at a disadvantage here to-night because the Minister failed even to attempt to answer a supplementary question to-day. Had he done so I would not be here now.
I will back the architect of the South Cork Board of Health against the Minister or any official who comes down. I am not blaming an official, however, but the dead hand of the individual behind the scenes. No matter what individual from the Department or inspector goes down, unless his report favours the desires of the person concerned in that private objection, then apparently his report will not be accepted.
It is late at night, but no matter what the Minister may say, I say that this will not be finished here and he will find that out later. I will conclude on this note: 22 families in the village of Carrigaline are being deprived of 22 homes because of a combination between Deputy Corry on the one hand and on the other a prominent imperialistic Freemason in Carrigaline village. Because of that combination these people will have to wait longer. Whatever answer the Minister gives now I will assure him— and I believe I have the support of Deputy MacCarthy in connection with the suitability of the site which he saw —that this cannot and will not be the end of this question.
