Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 May 1964

Vol. 209 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labourers' Cottages.

15.

Mr. Tully

asked the Minister for Local Government if the provisions of the Labourers Act, 1886, as amended by the Acts of 1891 and 1903, whereby six ratepayers or agricultural labourers are empowered to make representations for a scheme of cottages to the housing authority are now operative; and if the provisions of the Labourers Act, 1891, enable him to provide cottages in any case where a housing authority refuses to provide cottages for agricultural labourers after the appropriate representations have been made.

17.

Mr. Tully

asked the Minister for Local Government if a housing authority, which has building sites on hands, may refuse to provide a scheme of cottages for agricultural labourers after a representation has been made by six or more agricultural labourers or ratepayers.

Mr. Haughey

I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 15 and 17 together.

The provisions of the Labourers Acts in regard to representations and improvement schemes are regarded as obsolete and superseded by the provisions of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1932, which enables the acquisition of land and provision of houses under the Labourers Acts without any representation or improvement scheme. The Act of 1932 empowers the Minister, after local inquiry, to act in place of a local authority on their default.

Mr. Tully

Could the Minister say if the Acts quoted in my question have been repealed?

Mr. Haughey

I know that the Minister for Local Government is at this moment in the Seanad with a Repeal of Enactments Bill and it is possible they may be included in that. The Deputy must not take advantage of the fact that I am a much softer man than my colleague.

Mr. Tully

That is the reason why I did not ask a supplementary question.

16.

Mr. Tully

asked the Minister for Local Government if the receipt of a representation by six agricultural labourers or ratepayers for a scheme of cottages is prima facie evidence of need for the purpose of a compulsory purchase order in cases where land cannot be acquired by the housing authority by agreement within reasonable time.

Mr. Haughey

I would refer the Deputy to what I said in reply to his question on the 6th May, 1964, regarding the grounds on which the making of a compulsory purchase order would be justified, when I indicated that in view of my functions in relation to such orders I cannot express an advance opinion as to whether any particular circumstances would warrant the compulsory acquisition of land. As regards the reference to "representation" in the question, I would refer to my reply to Questions Nos. 15 and 17.

Mr. Tully

Does the Minister not agree, even if he is only acting for his colleague, that if the matter which is referred to in the question were clarafied it might possibly save a great deal of time to local authorities and the Minister? Give a ruling on it now rather than on appeal.

Mr. Haughey

These provisions are regarded as obselete, in any event.