With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 43 and 44 together.
I am aware of the objections and representations by the bodies referred to in these questions in connection with the proposed development at Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock. I received on 29th December, 1969, the report which I requested from the planning authority but it has been overtaken by events since then. The position now is that this development was the subject of a reference to me received on the 22nd January 1970, under section 5 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, by Dublin County Council as planning authority for a decision as to whether the contemplated use of the site by Ready-Mix (Éire) Ltd. in the manner proposed is or is not development or exempted development within the meaning of the Act. Because of the public interest in the matter the planning authority have requested that an oral hearing be held for the purpose of giving evidence in connection with the reference and I have granted this request. Before the oral hearing is held all the parties concerned must, under the statutory regulations, be given an opportunity of furnishing any observations they wish to make on the reference and they have been written to accordingly. I would hope that the oral hearing would be held at an early date but its arrangement depends on the response from the parties concerned to my request for any observations they may wish to make.
