asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that there is grave public dissatisfaction in the Raheny area of Dublin over the decision to permit the erection of terraced houses on the main Howth Road; and if he will give the reasons why permission for this type of house was granted in this one case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Howth Road Houses.
30.
I understand that permission for the construction of the houses referred to was given by the planning authority (Dublin Corporation). No appeal against that decision was received by me and I have not received any expression of public dissatisfaction in the matter. I have no information as to the reasons for the grant of permission.
Is the Minister aware that along the entire length of the Howth Road from Fairview to Howth, this is the one solitary case where permission for this type of house has been granted? Is he further aware that the erection of this house infringes on the existing building line? In these circumstances, is he hatisfied that this permission was properly given? If he is not so satisfied, is he prepared to have the whole circumstances of the granting of permission in this case investigated, so that the grave public disquiet which exists in relation to this matter may be allayed?
While I appreciate the Deputy's feelings in this matter, the situation is as I stated. On 31st December last, the permission was given by the Dublin Corporation. The 30 days statutory period for the receipt of appeals against the decision has long since elapsed and during the course of the statutory period no appeal was received. Therefore, in the ordinary course of events, my Department have not entered and do not enter into this matter at all.
Would the Minister state whether or not Dublin Corporation have furnished him with any indication of what extraordinary circumstances applied in this case for the granting of permission as distinct from any of the other cases in which permission was not granted?
Again, planning authorities, Dublin Corporation or any local authority, are not required to furnish reasons for the granting of permission in the ordinary course of dealing with house planning applications, so that the answer is that I have not received from Dublin Corporation any special reasons, because they were not sought.