asked the Minister for Local Government what steps were taken by his Department to alleviate the hardships of people in snowed-up districts during the recent blizzard.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Weather Conditions: Relief Measures.
29.
asked the Minister for Local Government what aid and advice were given by his Department to local authorities, etc., in their efforts to deal with the emergency conditions arising from the recent bad weather.
31.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he received representations urging Government action by means of an airlift of food, fuel and medical supplies to relieve the situation in areas in Wicklow isolated as a result of the recent severe weather; what reply was sent by him to such representations; and what action was taken by him in the matter.
32.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Local Government if he is satisfied that all steps possible were taken as quickly as they should have been by the authorities concerned to bring relief and medical or other assistance, where needed, to those persons in County Wicklow who were isolated by the recent heavy snow falls.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 30, 31 and 32 together. All necessary action was taken with all possible expedition by the local authorities concerned to reopen lines of communication to all parts affected by the recent heavy snow falls and in some instances they assisted in the transport of essential supplies. No direct action by my Department was requested by any of these authorities or considered by them to be necessary, except as regards obtaining priority for telephone calls by engineering officers of Wicklow County Council.
Would the Minister say whether or not the Government at any stage considered using or hiring helicopters?
The Government were not requested to give any assistance.
I did not ask that.
The Government did not enter into the matter. The question was one of opening lines of communication which was a matter for the local authorities concerned. They were well able to handle it without Government interference which could only be a hindrance.
Did it occur to the Government that helicopters would be useful in this situation?
For what?
There does not appear to have been any need for them.
I asked the Taoiseach about this and he referred me to the Minister for Transport and Power who referred me to the Minister for Local Government.
What would we want helicopters for? Taking photographs?
You could drop food.
There was no need for that.
Look at Telefís Éireann.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister was looking at traffic in Dublin city from one.
I know from my own observation that the local authorities did everything possible with all possible speed.
Will the Minister say if he has received any information that the action taken by one local authority was to dismiss all the roadworkers?
They know nothing about it. They did not consider it.
Read the papers.
(Interruptions.)
If I bring to the notice of the Minister for Local Government the fact that a county council dismissed all its roadworkers, will he take steps to see that they are re-employed?
What will they do if there is no snow to shovel?
There is snow.
33.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Local Government if he is satisfied that Dublin Corporation and County Council took all necessary steps, as quickly as they should have, to safeguard pedestrians and those using transport during the recent very heavy frost in the city and county, and in particular on Saturday the 12th instant.
I am satisfied that the road authorities in question did everything they could to deal with the recent exceptional road conditions and that they did so as quickly as the circumstances allowed.
Is it not a fact that most of Dublin, and certainly the city centre, from my own experience, was like a vast skating rink for the whole of Saturday or at least until late afternoon?
It is a fact that there was a heavy snowfall on that Friday night and Saturday morning, followed by frost and that neither the Government nor the Corporation could prevent that.
It was highly dangerous.
You want a five-day week.
The Corporation does not work on Saturday.
Could the Corporation not scatter sand on the streets?
If the Deputy were more in touch with reality, he would be aware that Corporation employees have a five-day week.
How could they scatter sand when they work a five-day week?
(Interruptions.)
Despite the fact that there was a five-day week, the Corporation had their workers out by 11 o'clock.
That contradicts what you said, the excuse you gave.
(Interruptions.)
No, it does not, but it took time to get workers who were off duty into action.
On a point of order, there were 175 men working two hours late and the only reason they were late is that they do not work on Saturday. They had to be collected and they were collected by motor car. They were off for the week-end.