asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that Meath County Council state that they cannot erect cottages on half-vested cottage plots; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Cottages.
26.
I would refer the Deputy to my replies to questions on this subject on 18th June and 24th October, 1963, and on 30th January, 1964.
I am grateful to the Minister for giving such a lot of information in his reply. Would he even at this stage consider bringing to the notice of the county manager what the exact legal position is? Apparently he is still not aware of it.
I think it is quite well known to all managers what interpretation generally is put on this matter. If the manager of a particular county is not acting in accordance with what is the practice in most local authorities, I take it he is doing so on the advice of his legal advisers. How I could bring about a change of the mind or opinion of a legal adviser I have not yet found out.
The Minister had an opportunity before the recess to bring in legislation, and he has not taken the opportunity.
It is not a question of taking the opportunity. This is an infinitesimal part of the entire Bill coming before the House, as the Deputy will see. Since a second house can be built on a vested plot, I think the councillors of the area should really put the skids under the person who is preventing that being done.
Could the Minister not have told me that?
I have told the Deputy on umpteen occasions.
The Minister said the legal adviser was preventing him——
I said he was probably advising the manager that he had not the power. That is very different from saying he was preventing him from doing it.