asked the Minister for Local Government the projects that are being proposed in connection with Architectural Heritage Year; and the estimated employment content thereof.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Architectural Heritage Year.
32.
Two Irish projects for European Architectural Heritage Year have been accepted for the European programme of pilot projects. These involve redevelopment at St. John's Square, Limerick, and open space and amenity development at Holycross Village, County Tipperary. Twenty-nine other schemes are being undertaken by local authorities, the Office of Public Works, and voluntary organisations. Because of the number of bodies, both public and private, involved in projects, the reliance in some cases on voluntary labour, and the variety of schemes being carried out it is not possible to estimate the total employment content.
Would the Minister agree that his Department should promote as many projects as possible during European Architectural Heritage Year involving work on buildings and houses so as to alleviate the problem of unemployment in the building and construction industry?
Deputy Faulkner should be aware that the building of houses could not be included in European Architectural Heritage Year projects. However, we are doing everything we possibly can to have old houses made useful again for habitation.
Might I point out——
A question, Deputy, please.
——that I did not mention building houses? I said "on buildings and houses".
I thought the Deputy said building houses.
Would the Minister agree that the rehabilitation of old buildings, their adaptation to new uses, and the upgrading of areas that have declined, are labour-intensive operations which, in relation to the expenditure involved, make greater demands on available building and craft skills than do large-scale operations? Therefore, would the Minister see to it that in so far as the Department can become involved——
This is becoming a very long question.
——they would involve themselves in readapting old buildings and houses?
I will give a very short answer. I am glad to see that Fianna Fáil have been converted to the idea that we should not pull down every old building in the country when we have finished using it.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Minister kindly give me a reply to the question?
Deputy Faulkner has only to look around him in this city and in his own town of Drogheda to see that it is in operation.
Question No. 33.
At Question Time we are entitled, I hope, to a reasonable reply to a reasonable question.
The Chair has no control over these matters.
Question Time could be conducted much more easily——
Deputy, we are wasting precious time.
I certainly am not wasting official time.
I want to protest at this protection of the Minister who is refusing to answer the question. If a Minister is giving the reply, the business proceeds normally. If he is not, and he is being obstructive like the Minister for Local Government, I want to protest, Sir, at your calling the next question. The very least that could be done is to allow the Minister to be questioned and shown up if he is incapable of answering the question.
Attacks upon the Chair are unjustified.
(Interruptions.)
Deputies know that the Chair has no control over Ministers' replies and indeed seems to have little control over Deputies' supplementary questions also.
The Minister is laughing there since he got up.
Deputy MacSharry, please.
Would the Minister not agree that counties that were using the amenity grants for work of this nature, to restore old buildings, and particularly public buildings for further use, have received a very severe setback in their efforts because of the withdrawal of amenity grants this year?
That is a separate matter, Deputy Power.
They did not use very many of them in Kildare.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 33.
I should like to state that this question found its way into a booklet this year. It is no thanks to the Minister that it is in such a condition.
There must be some finality about questions. Question No. 33.
Might I ask one more reasonable and sensible question? Is the Minister aware that it is the declared intention of the Danish Government to harness the European Architectural Heritage Year campaign to alleviate the country's unemployment? Would he agree that our Government could equally emulate the decision of the Danish Government?
The Deputy is bringing in new matter.
Yes, and the number unemployed in Denmark has increased by 300 per cent. Perhaps the Deputy is aware of that also.
Question No. 33.
Is the Minister aware that the biggest number unemployed in this country is in the building industry?
The Deputy already knows about them.
(Interruptions.)
Next question, No. 33.
May I ask the Minister——
No further supplementaries. No. 33.
Surely, Sir?——
Order. The Deputy has been given the fullest latitude.
I have asked very reasonable and pertinent questions. When one takes into consideration particularly that there were 2,355 more people unemployed in the building industry in January, 1975 than there were in January, 1974, surely I am entitled to get a reasonable answer to a reasonable question?
Deputies
Hear, hear.
The Chair has no control over——
Deputy Faulkner asked was I aware that the repair of old buildings was a labour-intensive operation. Of course, everybody is aware of that; it has not to be asked here in this House. Deputy Faulkner is also aware that since I took over as Minister I have had more old buildings taken over, repaired and made suitable for use by families than was ever done before in this country. Why try to make a joke of it by trying to pretend it is something he thought of just a few minutes ago?
Question No. 33.
On a point of order, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply to this question and in view of the aspersions he found it fit to cast on Kildare County Council, I should like the Chair's permission to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with Deputy Power in the matter. Question No. 33.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Deputy Blaney, I have called the next question repeatedly. I am now insisting on proceeding with that question and will, proceed with it.
What I was about to ask has nothing whatsoever to do with the question.
Very good, Deputy.
What I want to do is to give notice to the Chair, with his permission, that in view of the fact that the Greencastle fleet has been entirely tied up since the attack made on it some time ago, might I be allowed raise the matter of early examination, assessment and compensation so that this fleet might be got back in the water?
Is the Deputy giving me notice of his intention to raise this matter?
Yes.
I will communicate with Deputy Blaney. Question No. 33.