asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that numerous sites in the immediate suburbs of Cork City have been let to persons building under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts and others anxious to build their own houses and that in some cases fines up to £60 or £70 per house and amounts up to £20 per annum ground rent are charged although the tenants are left without light, roads or footpaths due to the fact that the county council refuse to take over the schemes until roads and footpaths are put into proper condition; and if, in view of the large amounts paid to these ground landlords by the tenants, he will take steps, if necessary by the introduction of proposals for amending legislation, to ensure that these sites are developed properly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Development of Housing Sites.
I am not aware of the circumstances referred to by the Deputy. Taking over roads and footpaths for maintenance at public expense is a matter for the road authority. Sanitary authorities have power to make bylaws with regard to the construction of streets and footpaths by private developers. Where persons take leases of building sites on the condition that development works will be carried out by the lessors the onus is on such persons to ensure that they have an enforceable claim against the lessor if the development work is not properly carried out.