asked the Minister for Local Government the action he intends to take on the proposed building of the oil refinery in Dublin Bay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Oil Refinery.
75.
I understand that two applications for planning permission for the erection of storage and processing units for petroleum products on a site in Dublin Bay have been made to Dublin Corporation, and that these applications are still under consideration by that authority.
Since an appeal under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, could come to me in respect of any decision that Dublin Corporation may ultimately take, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this project.
Does the Minister not share the view of the Minister for Foreign Affairs that this thing should be stopped altogether? He has stated this publicly, so that when the Government consider this matter, they will have divided opinions about it.
I am sure the Deputy is not trying to prejudge the decision which the Minister will have to make on this matter if it does come on appeal.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs prejudged it, so.
I am not in that constituency and the Minister for Foreign Affairs is not dealing with planning appeals.
He is a member of the Cabinet and will deal with them now.
The Cabinet does not deal with planning appeals.
We have evidence now of direction coming down from the top on how planning appeals were to be decided.
We are in irrelevancy now. The Deputy ought to ask a question when he rises and should have respect for the Chair.
Deputy Molloy has made a comment which I want to refute here and now lest it go any further. There are no directions coming from the top unless some were left since the Deputy was Minister.
We have the facts. It is in the Dún Laoghaire area and you know where the direction, came from.
Question No. 76.
Can the Minister say if the oil refinery——
I have called Question No. 76.
This is a very important matter from the point of view of my constituency and my constituents. Am I to be stifled here by you?
The Deputy showed no interest in or indication of asking a supplementary question. The Deputy had ample opportunity.
I had not. I was politely and courteously seeking to ask a question when all the brouhaha had ceased.
Did I understand the Deputy to make a threat to you, Sir?
The Deputy does not make threats.
The Deputy said, and he should withdraw it, that he would not be dictated to by the Chair. He should accept that it is the Chair tells the House what Members of the House will do here.
I am asking the Minister whether he is for or against the Dublin Bay oil refinery.
I am telling the Deputy that I do not propose to prejudge because I do not know enough about it and, if the Deputy knew a little more about it, he would be in a better position to speak.