asked the Minister for Local Government the steps being taken to ensure that the animal byproducts factory being built near Ballinasloe, County Galway, will comply with the planning, health, sanitary and pollution laws governing the building and operation of such a factory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Factory.
82.
The exercise of their statutory powers to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, and the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts is a matter for the local authority.
What is the position of the Galway County Council, the local authority, in this case?
The position is that if the local authority give permission subject to conditions or refuse permission, the exercise of the powers to comply with their decision is a matter for the local authority.
The Minister does not come into it?
No, it is a matter for the local authority.
Mr. Kitt
Would the Minister come into the matter if an appeal is made?
If there is an appeal made to the Minister and the Department lay down conditions, it would be the responsibility of the local authority to see that the conditions laid down are carried out and it would devolve on the local authority to see that they are carried out.
I understand the Minister was not laying down conditions, that it was the local authority who were doing so.
I am sorry if the Deputy is confused.
I am confused by the answer the Minister has given to Deputy Kitt. The Minister mentioned regulations he laid down. I understood the Minister is not laying down any conditions.
If there was an appeal to the Minister and if it was given with conditions, if reported to the Minister for Local Government then it would be a matter for him to ensure that the conditions were carried out but it is the local authority who would have the responsibility of seeing they were carried out.