asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state why the contractors to the Beaumont Park housing scheme for the South Cork Board of Health have not yet receivedinstructions to lay down the water pipes into the houses being erected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - South Cork Housing Scheme.
I am informed by the Cork County Council that the laying of the water mains to serve Beaumont Park housing scheme is held up pending consideration of certain conditions which the Cork Corporation wish to impose in relation to the manner in which the water mains are to be laid.
Is the Minister aware (a) that in the contract submitted to his Department and sanctioned, provision is included in the contractor's tender for the carrying out of the work; (b) that the city manager refused the right of the council or the contractors to do the work and insists on the corporation doing it at more than likely a prohibitive charge; (c) that the Cork Corporation solely benefit by the collection of the water rent in the area; and (d) that owing to the present circumstances and the diameter of the present water main in the area, the corporation should of necessity lay a new main in the near future there themselves?
I am aware of these and other factors in connection with this difficulty which has arisen as between Cork County Council and the Cork Corporation. I think it should not be impossible for these bodies to straighten out these matters between themselves.
May I ask the Minister further will he inquire from the city manager, the authority for Cork City, as to what he intends to do in connection with this important work? May I ask an answer to that supplementary question?
It does not follow that I am obliged to answer supplementaries, if I think there is no purpose to be served, or if I think they are not relevant to the matter set out in the question or to my responsibility as Minister here. This is a matter where two local bodies are concerned, and it is their responsibility to settle up this simple affair between themselves.
With your permission, Sir, I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.