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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1969

Vol. 238 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Limerick Georgian Houses.

27.

Mr. O'Malley

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is prepared to take steps in conjunction with Limerick Corporation to ensure the preservation of the Georgian architecture of Limerick City.

This is primarily a matter for Limerick Corporation, as planning authority for the area, and I have no direct functions in relation to it.

Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 planning authorities have power to include in their development plans objectives for the preservation of buildings of artistic, architectural or historical interest. Limerick Corporation's statutory development plan contains an objective for the preservation of a number of such buildings including the Georgian buildings in The Crescent and Perry Square and the Corporation have committed themselves not to permit any alteration or reconstruction of these buildings which would materially conflict with the architectural character of the areas.

Is it not a fact that the Minister himself made a regulation under the Planning Act authorising any landlord to pull down any building by removing demolition by his order from the scope of the Planning Act and the jurisdiction of the local planning authorities and that he is only now bringing in a Bill to undo by legislation what he himself did by order?

It is true. This is a conflict of fact. Is there not a statutory order made by the Minister for Local Government under the Planning Acts whereby certain matters are exempted from the authority of the local planning authority and amongst these matters is the matter of demolition? Is it not a fact that the Minister himself made a regulation under the Planning Acts authorising any vandal to pull down any building by removing "demolition ......" from the scope of the Planning Acts and the jurisdiction of the local planning authority and that he is, only now, bringing in a Bill to undo by legislation what he himself did by order?

No, that is not true.

It is true. This is now a fact.

That does not apply where there is an objective for the preservation of a building.

I am well aware that it does not apply to a case where there is an order in respect of a historic building or a building which has artistic merit. However, any vandal can go in now and knock down any house that is not specifically protected by order and can then tell Dublin Corporation to go and take a running jump at itself—and the Minister is now going to change that by law when he could have changed it by order 12 months ago.

The planning authority surveys the whole area and decides what area it is desirable and reasonably practical to preserve, and that is what Limerick Corporation have done.

The Minister has provided by order that any vandal can go in and knock down anything he likes.

He has, indeed.

Next question.

Where this objective exists there are as effective powers for preservation as it is possible to provide.

What about the position of our Georgian houses in Mountjoy Square, Dublin?

That is the only place where it is respectable to do it.

We are discussing Limerick at the moment.

What about the Georgian building in Mountjoy Square, Dublin, for example?

We are discussing Limerick at the moment.

Ah, sure he does not know the difference.

I am calling Question No. 28 which stands in the name of Deputy Moore.

The Minister has half of these buildings pulled down.

Deputy Dillon does not know where the Georgian buildings mentioned in the question are.

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