asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is now prepared to receive a deputation from Roscommon County Council for the purpose of seeking increased road grants, in view of the fact that a further request has been made to him by the county council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon Road Grants.
50.
I have nothing to add to what was said on this subject in reply to the Deputy's previous question of 6th instant.
Can the Minister state whether or not his colleague, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Lands, Deputy Lenihan, made representations to him to receive a deputation on behalf of the Roscommon County Council, and, if so, will he indicate why he refused a democratic request of that nature which would enable the Deputies of the area to put a case before the Minister in connection with the road grants?
Deputy Lenihan did make such representations to me but I have nothing to add to what I have already said.
Surely the Minister is not going to tell the House that his colleague has so little influence in Government circles that he is not able to get the Minister to receive a deputation to discuss this matter which the Parliamentary Secretary was aware was urgently important? If he cannot even get that much out of the Government it is a poor sign of what he is able to do with his own job. With your permission, Sir, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I shall communicate with the Deputy.
The Minister was sick last week and he was sick on two occasions when this matter came up but he was able to come into the House to vote.
I think the Deputy himself is slightly sick for some reason.