asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the urgent need for cottage building in rural areas and for the relief of subtenant families now forced to overcrowd council cottages, he will clarify the law relating to the rights of purchasing tenants of vested cottages so that Dublin County Council may be empowered to accept plots attached to such cottages as suitable sites for additional "nominal" cottages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Cottage Building.
60.
As I indicated in reply to questions on the subject on 18th June and 24th October, 1963, housing authorities, to avoid undue hardship, may, with my consent, suspend the statutory conditions which govern the use of a vested cottage to enable a second cottage to be erected on the plot held with the original cottage. To remove any doubts which any housing authority may have as to its powers in this respect, I propose to include a specific provision clarifying the position in new housing legislation.
May I take it, arising from what the Minister has said, that in regard to the policy of servicing houses, he will be prepared to lift the regulation which he has imposed in regard to the proximity of services, water, sewerage, and so on, where it is deemed desirable to secure the erection of houses?
That does not arise from the question.
It is part of the question.
Would the Minister also ensure that the legislation includes houses to which SDA loans apply as well as the other type? He already said it was possible to do that but there still seems to be some doubt.
No matter what laws are passed, and there is no reflection on anybody responsible for their passage, it seems to be the custom that the various legal advisers seem to be all set to find various interpretations which are in conflict. I am quite satisfied, and have seen it operate, that we have the power to do this at the moment but in order that there shall be no doubt, I am putting in a specific provision at the first available opportunity to ensure that nobody misinterprets the law.
Perhaps the Minister would advise the county managers of that at present.