asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware of the very bad conditions of Lyle Road and Balfe Road, East, Crumlin, which are in a housing estate, and, if so, if he will request the county council and the private building interests concerned to put the road into proper condition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Crumlin Roads.
It is entirely a matter for the county council to decide whether or not to take over a road as a public road. I have no functions in the matter, and it is not my policy to interfere with the discretion of the county council in such cases.
In the case of a private road it is primarily for the persons who take leases of building sites on it, to ensure that the developers carry out the necessary road works to a proper standard.
I may add that generally I am satisfied that the Dublin County Council take all reasonable steps which are open to them under existing law with a view to having roads in housing estates brought up to a satisfactory standard.
In the case of a public road, it is for the road authority concerned to decide on the work of improvement or repair to be carried out thereon, and I suggest that any representations in this regard be made to the county council.
I have already made representations to the county council. Is the Minister aware that this contentious point is going on for at least two years? The local developer did not join the county road at all and the tenants have to walk through about two feet of water. We have a number of cases like that in the Dublin Corporation area and in the Dublin County Council area and I would like if the Minister would send an inspector to see for himself the position that exists, and which should not exist at all.
I wonder if the Deputy heard my reply correctly. I said it is entirely a matter for the local authority and to it the Deputy should make representations. I understand that the Deputy is a member of the local authority and has made representations and that they paid no attention to him, so it would be very difficult for me.
All the members of the Dublin County Council have been on this job and apparently it is no use. This exists in Dublin County and in the Dublin Corporation area, in the Finglas area—that is a separate question, I know—but in this area of Crumlin this is going on for two years and the people are walking in about two feet of water—unless you give them a boat out there.
Perhaps the Deputy would renew his representations to the local authority after June next.
It is a pity the Minister did not give more power to the elected members of local authorities to help in such matters.