asked the Minister for Local Government the reasons why Dublin Corporation have sought access to, and use of, the sites from which they have evicted the itinerants in recent weeks; and if he will indicate the dates on which it is intended that development for industrial or housing purposes on such sites will commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation Sites.
41.
I understand that a group of itinerants was removed on four occasions in recent weeks from Dublin Corporation property at Ballyfermot, Walkinstown and Inchicore because of the health hazards involved in large encampments close to residential areas and complaints received from local residents of the nuisance and annoyance caused by the encampments. I am informed by the Corporation that the sites at Ballyfermot and Walkinstown are reserved for industrial development, that the major portion of the Walkinstown site has been leased for factory buildings and that negotiations with a view to leasing the remaining portion are in progress. Development works on the Ballyfermot site have recently commenced and negotiations for leasing the area are in progress. The site at Inchicore was acquired as a public open space and is at present in use as a public park.
While the Corporation know best as to whether it is a good or bad health hazard, could the Minister not take steps to see that the Corporation provide a suitable site wherever they deem it is desirable from a local residents' point of view or from a health hazard point of view, and offer that to the itinerants while we are awaiting the Minister's consideration of the Report of the Commission on Itinerancy, in order to try to reduce the hardship on the women and children involved in this whole business, if possible?
I should like to see the end the Deputy has suggested and I know the Corporation are considering at the moment what they may do, not only, probably, long-term, but also short-term. I feel sure that they are not lacking in sympathy in this direction any more than I or any member of this House. If there is anything I can do to solve the problem, even on a temporary basis, I shall be only too happy to assist.
What do the Corporation propose to do?
I am afraid I am not in a position to say.
Does the Minister know what the Corporation propose to do with these people? Are they going to keep hounding them around?
That is slightly beyond my information here at the moment.
Is it possible for the Corporation——
That is the fourth or fifth supplementary question.
This is the second question he has asked.
Is it possible for the Corporation to hold their hand for the time being? Has the Minister any power to ask them to do that?
I have power to ask anybody to do anything. Whether I have power to make them do it is another matter. I could ask them. I have no power to make them do what I ask. If that satisfies the Deputy, that is all I can say.
If the Corporation showed half the speed in building houses as they do in hounding these itinerants, there would be no housing problem in Dublin city.
That is about the eighth question.
The only thing I have to say about the Deputy is that there is always some sort of hobbyhorse for him to go riding on.