asked the Minister for Lands if arrangements have yet been made for the construction of houses on the mainland near Clifden, County Galway to accommodate Inishturbot islanders wishing to transfer to the mainland; and, if so, if he will give details of these arrangements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Housing.
25.
(Cavan): Revised proposals to assist the Turbot islanders to transfer to the mainland have been approved by the Government. There has been a preliminary consultation with the local planning officer and efforts are being made at present to locate suitable sites.
Have the Land Commission been given authority to proceed with the construction of houses as well as negotiating for the purchase of sites?
(Cavan): Yes, they have.
Has the Minister authorised the expenditure of moneys for that purpose?
(Cavan): The Land Commission have been authorised to proceed with the procuring of sites and the planning of houses in the area.
But they have not been given authority to proceed with the construction of any houses?
(Cavan): It is not possible to construct houses until sites are acquired.
Is the Minister aware that the sites have been acquired in certain cases?
(Cavan): I am not so aware.
The Minister will appreciate that most of the information he has been getting on this matter, which has been going on for about 14 months, has been coming from me.
(Cavan): The Deputy played quite a part in the original scheme which I sanctioned but which did not prove acceptable to the islanders because they could not contribute to it. It was necessary then to draw up fresh proposals under which the Land Commission will do the job.
Will the Minister agree that the decision made recently regarding giving authority to proceed with the acquisition of sites should have and could have been made 12 months ago?
(Cavan): I do not. The original scheme covered two islands. The other islanders were prepared to avail of it 100 per cent. There was one island where they were not in the same happy position and it was necessary to look at it again.
It took 13 or 14 months for the decision to be made.