asked the Taoiseach whether he has received representations from interested parties in the house-building industry in connection with the critical position of that industry and, if so, when; if he will state the nature of such representations, and what proposals have been decided upon by the Government with a view to alleviating the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House-Building Industry.
Certain representations have been addressed to me by the Dublin and District House Builders' Association, and the Minister for Local Government, who is the member of the Government concerned in the first instance, is joining with me in receiving a deputation from that body to-day. In view of the imprecise terms in which the Deputy's question is expressed, I have no means of knowing whether the representations to which I have referred are those which he has in mind. They are, however, the only representations relating generally to the position of the house-building industry that are at present before me.
Is the Taoiseach not aware of the very serious unemployment which exists in the building trade? Would he say if the Government has any proposals to relieve that position?
That is not the question the Deputy has asked me.
Would the Taoiseach say what type of representations are being made to him? What is the nature of the representations?
From the Dublin and District House Builders' Association?
Yes.
I am receiving that association this afternoon to hear what they have to say.
Have the representations been made in writing? Has the Taoiseach not received representations in writing?
I received a letter asking me to receive a deputation, which I am receiving this afternoon, together with the Minister for Local Government, to hear their case. So far as the City of Dublin is concerned, the Government have put at the disposal of the Dublin Corporation a specified sum for this year and next year, a sum which we are advised will enable house building to be carried on in future as it has been heretofore.
And if the Dublin Corporation were not making a "hames" of their job, they would do it properly.
Would the Taoiseach state whether it is not a fact that he received a memorandum in connection with these representations?
I did, of course.
Has he not read the memorandum?
I have.
Does he not know the nature of the representations?
That is a separate question.
Of course I know the nature of the representations.
May I ask the Taoiseach to tell the House what the nature of the representations is?
I shall not answer that until I see the deputation. Presumably the Deputy has seen the memorandum and, therefore, I need not tell him what the representations are.