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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Apr 1964

Vol. 208 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Housing Estate Shops.

47.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will introduce legislation to permit the Dublin Corporation to sell shops in their housing estates to occupying tenants.

48.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that some tenants of Dublin Corporation shops are paying rents far in excess of normal rents for like premises; that many of these tenants have applied to the Dublin Corporation for leave to purchase the shops on long leases instead of renting them; that the Dublin Corporation have notified them that they have no statutory power to sell to occupying tenants because of an obligation to secure the best price for vacant shops; and if, as the high rents now paid must be recovered by such tenants from their customers on the prices of goods sold, he will intervene in the matter.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.

Dublin Corporation already have power under existing legislation to make long leases of shops in their housing estates to the occupying tenants. The Corporation are, of course, required to seek the best price or rent reasonably obtainable for the premises.

With regard to the level of rents for such shops, I understand that the rents were either fixed on the basis of tenders submitted by the tenants themselves or were known to the tenants before they applied for the tenancies.

I do not propose to intervene in the matter.

Mr. Ryan

Would the Minister state whether he would have any objection if the Corporation valuer assesses what would be a fair rent for a long lease of these premises, and lets such premises to the existing tenants, without putting the premises with vacant possession on the open market?

I am afraid that would depend on the valuation by the valuer as to what would be regarded as a fair rent for the lease.

Mr. Ryan

May I take it the Minister has no objection in principle to such a scheme?

Whether the Minister would be agreeable in principle might not be the point at issue. The Corporation are required by law to get the best rents or prices reasonably obtainable.

Mr. Ryan

May I take it that the Minister has seen that the trade union movement have recently expressed concern about the high level of prices for commodities in many of the suburban estate shops, because of the fact that the shopkeepers are forced— by reason of the high rents for which they tendered and which they have to pay—to exact high prices? I take it the Minister is aware that they pay these rents?

I think that is a fairly long supplementary question.

Mr. Ryan

The Minister may read it in the Official Report.

There is no need to answer questions any more. That is done away with.

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