asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the increasing number of fatal accidents occurring at Dublin Port, it is proposed to provide adequate protection on the Liffey quays so as to prevent vehicles overrunning the roadway into the river.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protection on Liffey Quays.
Major de Valera
The Dublin Port and Docks Board are responsible for these quays and I have no power to interfere with the discretion of the board in the matter.
I understand that the problem has been and will be kept under close review by the board in consultation with the Dublin Corporation and that, in fact, a number of protective measures have been adopted in recent years.
Major de Valera
I would imagine that this question would be more appropriate to the Minister for Local Government, but in regard to a recent accident, is the Minister aware that there was a hoarding on the approach road in connection with some building in Lime Street which completely obstructed the view of the river and that at that point there was no protection? Can any provision be made in regard to that? After all, the Government cannot leave such important matters completely to the local authority and that seems to be what is happening. Can any provision be made to ensure that this type of accident does not happen? There has been a large number of accidents on the quays in recent years. Could not some scheme now be provided to prevent them? I sympathise with the present Minister because I do not think it is his business, but I imagine the Minister for Local Government should be interested in the matter.
The position is that the quays of Dublin are subject to the jurisdiction of the Port and Docks Board and I have no power in the matter.
Major de Valera
I do not doubt that the Minister has not, but the Government surely has. This answer, saying that some other body is responsible but never the Government, is too common. It is the stock excuse.
Might I point out to the Deputy that these quays have been there for the last 30 years? The Deputy comes in here like an injured innocent to pretend this should all have been done yesterday and done by the Government. The position in the matter is that if the Deputy's Government was so anxious about it and had all the power to do it they should have done it, but the fact is that no Government can do it. The quays are the private property of the Dublin Port and Docks Board and as the Deputy knows, they have rights when they own this property. The Port and Docks Board can put up any protection they like and discuss this matter with the Dublin Corporation but I cannot go in on their property to put up protective partitions there. They can do it.
Major de Valera
Surely——
Question No. 9.
Major de Valera
The excuse of letting somebody other than the Government do it is availed of.
That is cod.