asked the Minister for Local Government the plans, if any, his Department have to ensure the preservation of Booterstown Marshes, County Dublin from building or road development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Booterstown Marshes Preservation.
9.
The preservation of lands as open space within their functional area is a matter in the first instance for the planning authority.
The Parliamentary Secretary did not answer my question which was clear. It was:
To ask the Minister for Local Government the plans, if any, his Department have to ensure the preservation of Booterstown Marshes, County Dublin, from building or road development.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell me how he arrived at his answer to my question? Surely the answer could have been sought from the local authority for the benefit of the Dáil and in the national interests by picking up a telephone, ringing through to the local authority concerned and placing on the record of this House——
I must ask the Deputy not to engage in argument but to ask a supplementary question.
This shows a total lack of concern by the Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister for Local Government about these very important marshes.
I am awaiting the Deputy's question.
They will be encroached upon if a preservation order is not laid thereon.
The Deputy seems to be ignoring the Chair.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell me the position in relation to these marshes?
No firm plans for the bridge and for its approach roads which would affect the Booterstown Marshes to any extent have been put before my Department.
This is more double talk. The Parliamentary Secretary says——
This is Question Time.
Yes, Sir, I appreciate that. The Parliamentary Secretary says that there are no firm plans before his Department. Are there any plans which are not firm or is there a possibility of——
The Deputy is continuing to engage in argument.
No, Sir, I am not. I am asking the parliamentary Secretary if there is any possibility of plans which will bring about a road system which may encroach on these marshes? The Booterstown Marshes are held in the highest regard by the people in the area——
The Deputy will please be brief with his question.
——and by ornithologists generally because it is abundant in bird life.
A Cheann Comhairle——
The Parliamentary Secretary is endeavouring to reply to Deputy Andrews.
I merely wish to point out that the Minister for Local Government has, in fact, approved——
The Deputy must ask a question.
——the new southway motor road which will affect the marshes——
Deputy Moore, can we have a question? Deputies are not obeying the Chair so I am passing on to the next question.
I want to put a supplementary question to Deputy Moore who has answered my question clearly.
The Deputy is making a mockery of Question-Time. Question No. 10.
(Interruptions.)
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to raise the subject matter of Question No. 9 on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.