asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a report of a statement made by the Acting Assistant City and County Manager who is in charge of planning for Dublin city and county that he has now little more than 18 months to produce a plan and under the terms of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 failure will give rise to grave legal difficulties; and, if so, if he will comment on the position which would then arise through such failure.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin City and County Planning.
13.
I have seen nothing in the report in question which would suggest that a development plan under section 19 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 will not be made by Dublin Corporation within the period allowed by the Act, that is, by 1st October, 1967. The making of these plans is a responsibility which binds all planning authorities and the work is proceeding with the aid of a broad programme of central assistance and advice, organised by my Department and An Foras Forbartha. I see no point in the circumstances in speculating on what might happen if a particular authority failed to meet the deadline.
If it is just not possible through shortage of staff, what will be the position that will arise in law? Was it not the Minister's original intention to bring in the provisions of the Act on a regional basis only and then he decided to bring them in on a national scale?
I do not care to comment on what my intentions might have been. The situation is clear: the Act comes into operation on 1st October, 1967.
Will local authorities be in a position to have their plans ready and approved of by 1st October, 1967? They will be forced to adopt plans which they have not had an opportunity of considering and discussing.
The Deputy is misleading himself in saying that. He is well aware that any plans that may or may not be adopted will have to go through the routine of examination and discussion prescribed by law.
The Minister is talking through his hat. Does the Minister not know that no plans have yet reached the stage where they could be presented to the local authorities, although they must become law within a little over 12 months? Surely he can appreciate that the shortage of planning officers and of technical staff will make it nearly impossible to get anything like a plan prepared in time?
(Cavan): Is it looking like a repetition of the 1934-1939 Regional Planning Acts?
I do not want to be abusive to the Deputies but I should like to say that I shall not add to their talk which will be hearkened to by local authorities in order that they may drag their feet in this matter. There is a year yet to go. A total of three years progress is being made. I have no reason to anticipate the circumstances the Deputies fear will arise. I have taken every possible step open to me to ensure that they do not and I would ask that we leave it at that.
(Cavan): They are very limited steps.
Very short steps.
We will be getting there just the same.