andMr. L. Belton asked the Minister for Local Government if he will now provide that demolition of buildings in Dublin city be no longer exempt from the requirement of obtaining planning permission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Demolition Planning Permission.
14.
This matter is being considered in connection with the review of the Exempted Development Regulations, 1964, which is at present in progress. I made a very full statement on the matter in reply to questions on 15th February and I am not at present in a position to add anything further.
Is the Minister aware that, at a meeting last Monday, Dublin City Council unanimously resolved that the Minister be asked to delete immediately any reference to demolition from the exemption regulations in question and that, while the Minister is dithering on this particular point, further damage is being done to this city by the wanton demolition of many important buildings?
If Dublin City Council wish to preserve any buildings or groups of buildings, they can so provide in their development plan.
The Minister is, of course, aware of the difficulties and delays which must operate while Dublin City Council are considering particular buildings? Is it not the easy way for the Minister simply to make an order today or tomorrow amending the regulations with regard to demolition? That is all that is necessary to stop any further damage.
It would impose an unnecessary amount of extra work on both the City Council and possibly the Department of Local Government. In any case, such control would probably not be very effective.
It would be worth it.
Is the Minister aware that there is a grave shortage of housing at the moment in the city of Dublin? I know of several places in my constituency and in many other parts of the centre of the city where perfectly good houses are being demolished by private interests and these people can go ahead scot-free at the moment while the Minister is making up his mind.
In fact, Dublin will need no Professor Wright because it will be like a blitzed area.
The City Council can act.
They cannot, and the Minister knows it.