asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that CIE have recently sold by auction a plot in Glounthaune village, County Cork which has been used as a playground for the school children for the past 60 years; and if he will take immediate steps to see that the plot is restored to the children who have no other recreation ground available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - East Cork Village Plot.
22.
I am informed by the Board that, arising out of an application for the purchase of the property in question, the Board decided that as the ground was not required for the purposes of its undertaking, it should be offered for sale by public auction. The auction, which was publicly advertised, took place on 8th July when the property was sold. The Board is committed in contract to this sale.
Is the Minister aware that CIE have not authority to sell property on which a 60-year squatters' title has been established?
Squatters' rights are for six years.
That would be a legal matter.
I would like to see who will occupy it.
The Minister is treating Deputy Corry with contempt in not replying to his supplementary question.
I have replied: I said that would be a legal matter. I will not go into the question of whether a particular site is a squatters' site. The Minister is saying that would be a very great problem.
Is it suggested that Deputy Corry is the right man to look after a legal matter?
We have a semi-legal manner of dealing with these people.