asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that an open space at the Ranch, Inchicore, is being used as a dump, is rat-infested and an eyesore; what are Dublin Corporation's plans for this area; and when this urgent matter will be dealt with.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Inchicore (Dublin) Open Space.
6.
I am informed by the corporation that they have already acquired part of this site, and that they now propose to make a compulsory purchase order in respect of the remainder for the purpose of redevelopment. In the meantime, the site is being cleared and disinfested regularly.
Would the Minister say if the corporation have power to anticipate finalisation of compulsory acquisition proceedings under the existing law, and, if they have, would he put it to them very strongly that they might proceed with the clearance of this site? It is in a very bad condition and is a source of continual complaint, nuisance and annoyance to the people who live adjacent to it. It is also an open invitation to passing travelling people to halt there for a while.
I am aware that this is something of a nuisance and, as I said, the corporation have decided to acquire it compulsorily. In the meantime, they clear it and disinfest it regularly, possibly not frequently enough.
Would they have the power to anticipate finalisation——
No. They have not got that power, but they have the power to clear it and disinfest it; that they do, possibly not as frequently as Deputy Dunne would desire, but they have done it.
I go there every Sunday, as the Minister is well aware, to listen to the complaints of residents of Ballyfermot, and I must say that in all the time I have been there, I have never heard that the corporation cleared this eyesore, and have never seen any evidence that they have done so. It is being used as a dump all the time.
I shall ask them to do it more regularly, and I shall convey Deputy Dunne's representations to the successful councillors in the No. 9 electoral area.