asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the amendment moved and passed at a North Cork Sanitary Area Committee meeting deciding not to negotiate for a price for a site to build a hospital in Mitchelstown was out of order; and, if so, if he is prepared to request the county manager to negotiate with the owners for the purchase of the site.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mitchelstown Hospital Site.
The matters to which the Deputy refers in his question are primarily for determination by the local authority. I would have no function in taking any action in regard to them at this stage.
On Wednesday last the Minister stated that he was prepared to carry out the obligations undertaken by Deputy Dr. Browne. Would the Parliamentary Secretary state now if the Minister has repudiated Deputy Dr. Browne's obligations in this particular case; and, if so, at whose behest?
On 6th October, 1951, a letter issued from the Department to the Cork County Council stating that the Minister was prepared to agree in principle to the acquisition of a site at Mitchelstown for the proposed new hospital provided that the site could be purchased for a reasonable price. It was considered that the proposed price of £325 per acre was excessive and that £225 per acre, or £750 for the entire plot, would be a fair price. It was suggested that the local authority should make every effort to obtain the site at this price.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the purchase of a site for a court house there was something like £750 an acre paid?