asked the Minister for Local Government if Dublin Corporation have any plans for Mountjoy Square; whether he is aware that a private firm has filed plans for an office block on the south side of the Square; and what yearly rates are paid by a company (name supplied) on its property in Mountjoy Square.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Square Development.
8.
I understand that the Dublin Corporation draft development plan showing the proposed planning objectives for the city is now on public display. The draft plan as approved by the City Council contains a list of properties, including those in Mountjoy Square, in relation to which it is the expressed intention of the planning authority, in the event of an application being made for permission to alter or demolish any of the buildings, to consider their preservation.
It is also envisaged in the draft plan that a study will be undertaken of the best method of combining restoration with redevelopment in the north city Georgian area.
It has been ascertained that an application has been received by the planning authority for outline permission for an office development in Mountjoy Square South.
It is understood that the rates payable for 1967-68 on properties in Mountjoy Square of which the company mentioned by the Deputy are rated owners is £1,602 10s 8d.
Is the Minister aware the same company claims to have outline permission for the demolition of more houses in this square? Is he aware of the rather peculiar circumstances surrounding this company, with a list of directors who have, in fact, only £1 shares?
No; I have no information about the directors of the company. The application to the planning authority for outline permission has only been received and has not, in fact, yet been dealt with.
Is the Minister aware—he knows there is a great deal of public uneasiness about this matter of property speculation—that here we have a company in Mountjoy Square with a share capital of £250,000, two of whom are employed by Mr. Matt Gallagher, builder, who is no stranger to this House, and may I suggest this is a very serious situation?
The Deputy is not asking a question and I cannot allow him to proceed on this line.
Is the Minister aware, I asked.
That does not necessarily make it a question.
Is the Minister aware that this company is involved in getting houses at knock-down prices, then allowing the property to deteriorate and ultimately engaging in the erection of offices at a pretty handsome profit to themselves?
No permission for the erection of offices has been granted here yet.
Does the Minister think it is a satisfactory position that this company does not, in fact, state who are the actual owners behind this particular project?
I have nothing to do with the formation of companies.
This company, Leinster Estates, is registered at the premises of Haughey and Boland.
That has nothing to do with me.
Nothing to do with the Minister?
No.
Is the Minister aware that the Stormont Government sacked a Minister last week for the most tenuous dealing——
That is quite irrelevant to this matter.
May I suggest——
What happens in another State is quite irrelevant to this matter, quite irrelevant.
Happens in what?
"In another State," he said.
It is Ireland. Let us have our definitions clear: let us not run away with this illusion——
Order.