asked the Minister for Local Government why the building of the new civic offices in the Winetavern Street-Wood Quay area, Dublin, has been stopped by the Government.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Civic Offices.
11.
asked the Minister for Local Government the reason for putting a stay on the building of the new Dublin civic offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 12 together.
The Government believe that in view of the location and special features of the site at Winetavern Street/Wood Quay there should be consultation and further investigation before anything final is done regarding the development of the site.
It has been indicated to the city manager that the further investigation should include an examination of possible alternative locations for the civic offices. In view of the urgency of the corporation's need for centralised office accommodation, which I have very much in mind, I have asked that this examination be conducted with the minimum of delay.
Can the Minister tell us under what legislation the Government acted? There is no such power in the Planning Act so far as I am aware. The Government acted after the Minister had given final planning permission for this building and after this House had passed a special Bill to enable the corporation to develop the site concerned.
I assure the Deputy that the power to take the decision is there.
Can the Minister quote the Act which embodies this power?
Would the Deputy read his question and if he considers that I have not answered it perhaps he would repeat the question, or is he speaking of a number of questions that he withdrew during the past couple of days?
Is the Minister telling us that he acted in respect of this case without knowing whether he had authority to do so?
No, but Deputies opposite are aware that I had that authority; and I shall not let Deputy Moore get away with the suggestion that I did not have authority since he did not put down a question to that effect.
Can the Minister not refrain from being arrogant all the time and try instead to be helpful in respect of these matters?
That is being over used.
This House passed a Bill——
I wish to help the Deputy but he must ask a question. He is now making a statement.
The Minister has stated that he wished to preserve the garden, the park and the archaeological finds in the area but an examination of the plans for the new building——
The Deputy is embarking on an argument and we cannot have that at Question Time. I am calling Question No. 13.
Can the Minister quote the Act which gave him the power to take this action?
If the Deputy puts down that question I shall be glad to assist him by letting him have the information.
The Minister says he knows he has the power to do as he did, but when he is asked from where he got it he will not answer.
I was not asked that question.
That is what Deputy Moore has asked him.
The Deputy should know that if he wishes to have information he must put down the appropriate question in writing.
Is the Minister creating a new rule in this House whereby the only questions to be answered at Question Time are those put down in writing? Are Ministers of this Government incapable of answering supplementary questions?
I have no wish to repeat the mistakes made by my predecessors in answering questions about which they knew nothing.
Therefore, the Minister knows nothing about the matter. Now we have it.
I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.
Are the Government prepared to reimburse the corporation in respect of the huge expenditure involved on this project?
That is a separate question.
Perhaps the Deputy would tell us who bore the cost which resulted from the mix-up that occurred in 1970?
Let the Minister answer the question asked.
If Deputy O'Malley wishes to have information he should table the appropriate question, but he should not try to cash in on somebody else's question in order to make the headlines.
Order in this House is directed by the Ceann Comhairle.
And directed very well, I might add.
I had not expected the Minister to be so uncertain in regard to the authority under which he acted.
He cannot answer the question put to him.
I shall answer tonight during the Adjournment debate.