asked the Minister for Local Government when a decision is likely to be made on the Myles Wright Report in regard to the Dublin area.
8.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Development Plan.
7.
asked the Minister for Local Government if the development of the port area is to be confined to the deep-sea end as recommended in the Myles Wright Report on the Dublin region.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.
The Advisory Regional Plan and Final Report for the Dublin Region submitted by Professor Wright is an outcome of an assessment by the consultant of long-term requirements for land-use and development in the area. Part 1 of the Report has already been published. Part 2, which describes the information on which the Plan is based and the various studies carried out, will be published as soon as possible.
Apart from the particular planning framework recommended, the Report raises a number of very important and complex issues, including the question of the future size of Dublin and the question of port development, and will have to be considered by the various interests concerned. I have invited the views of Government Departments, local authorities and other interests on the Report, to facilitate a full assessment of the consultant's recommendations.
I would like to emphasise that the Report is an advisory one and that there is no commitment to it at this stage. It was commissioned as part of a programme of regional planning studies covering the entire country, which is not yet completed. One of the purposes of this programme is to help in the identification of regional centres of economic and social growth outside the existing main centres in order to counter the excessive draw of Dublin and to bring about a more even distribution of population and employment. It is in this broad context that the question of the probable and desirable size of Dublin 20 years hence has to be considered.
It is premature, therefore, to think at this stage in terms of a decision on the Dublin report.
Immediate planning provision for development in the Dublin Region is a matter for the local planning authorities concerned. All planning authorities are at present actively engaged on the preparation of their statutory development plans under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963. Pending further consideration of regional objectives it is envisaged that the main emphasis in these first plans will be on provision for the accommodation of development in the years immediately ahead.
Can the Minister say whether this was the first city which was studied and reported?
No, the Limerick region one has already been presented. The other seven have still to come.
Can the Minister say what the other seven are?
We have the rest of the country divided into seven areas. I have not got the groupings of the counties with me but I could let the Deputy have them.
Would the Minister consider instituting a study into the provincial towns with a population of 10,000 or 12,000 to see how best they could be planned and developed?
Each planning authority is at present in the process of producing its own development plans. These are advisory studies.
Can the Minister say who initiated these studies and reports?
An Foras Forbartha.
Acting under the direction of the Minister?
Yes.
The Minister could direct them to carry out a study of the towns I have mentioned?
I could, yes.
Would the Minister be prepared to do that?
I would not undertake to do that in respect of all the towns of the size the Deputy has mentioned. It would not be feasible. The individual planning authorities will have their draft plans available very shortly.
Was this report carried out as a solo effort or had he a team of consultants?
He had a team.
Was the team selected by himself?
Yes. He utilised a team.
Were his assistants from outside the country or from within it?
I do not know.
Surely it should be obvious from the terms of the Report whether any local consultants had their views taken into account?
He had consultations with various people over here while carrying out the survey and making his Report.
While these Reports are under consideration, would the Minister ad interim remove the provision in his regulations which exempts demolitions from the control of the planning authorities, because if he does not, the likelihood is that a great deal of demolitions will be done which in the light of the over-all plans should not be undertaken?
I dealt with that in reply to a question yesterday. I explained that what can best be done in this regard is under consideration at present.
Does the Minister think that the staffing position in the Planning Department of Dublin Corporation is satisfactory?
The next question refers to that.
9.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether Dublin Corporation will have produced a plan for the Dublin area in time to meet the deadline at the end of this month, in view of the grave understaffing in the Planning Department of Dublin Corporation.
The draft development plan proposals for Dublin city were explained at a meeting on 17th instant which was attended by members of the corporation. The draft proposals will now be formally considered by the corporation and, if approved, will be put on public display early next month.
I understand that the planning authority expect to have a development plan made within the time allowed under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, that is by 1st October, 1967.
Is the Minister aware that there is grave understaffing in the Planning Department of Dublin Corporation?
They have managed to meet the deadline.
Managing to meet a deadline is one matter, but there is grave understaffing at present.
The draft plan will be on exhibition soon and the Deputy might be in a better position to say whether it has been done satisfactorily then rather than now.
Our planning staff is ludicrous in comparison with the planning staffs in British cities with populations of a similar size. This is an unfair burden.
I suggest it would be more reasonable to wait until the plan is exhibited before alleging that it has not been prepared in a satisfactory manner.
The Minister knows there is understaffing.
10.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state, in respect of the proposed development of the Moore Street area of Dublin, whether his Department was consulted; when work is likely to commence; if the proposals are in accordance with the Lichfield plan; and if compensation to traders has been agreed on.
I understand that the corporation's Coiste Pleanála agus Forbairte have adopted a report in favour of a project for comprehensive redevelopment of an area of some seven acres bounded by Moore Street/ Parnell Street/Chapel Lane/Sampsons Lane, and have referred the matter to the city council. I understand further that the report included a statement of an understanding with traders in the areas as to the basis on which compensation would be assessed by reference to market value, and that the scheme is in line, in general terms, with the advisory scheme prepared by the corporation's urban renewal consultant for a more extensive area.
The fixing of development objectives for areas within their jurisdiction is a matter for the corporation as the planning authority and is not subject to approval by, or consultation with, my Department.
I am not in a position to say when work is likely to commence.
Can the Minister say whether the Moore Street traders will be affected by the proposed plan?
They will.
In what degree? Will compensation be given also to the Moore Street traders?
Yes. As I said, the Report included a statement of an understanding with traders in the area.
There are traders and traders. There are street traders and fixed traders. Street traders are a common feature of Moore Street.
I did not realise that was what the Deputy meant. I could not say. The Deputy might ask me another question about that.
This is a very serious matter. The Moore Street traders are a tourist attraction and an asset to the city. It would be regrettable if any of our cross-Channel planners were not aware that their interests have to be looked after too. Any continental city is proud of its street traders, and so should Dublin in the case of the Moore Street traders.
Hear, hear.