asked the Minister for Local Government if he will accede to the request by Carrigaline Community Association to conduct an inquiry into the problems of unfinished housing estates at Carrigaline, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unfinished Housing Estates.
27.
I am not aware of any such request. I might add that it is a matter for the planning authority concerned to ensure that development is carried out in compliance with the relevant permission.
Did the Minister try to make himself aware of the rather difficult situation that exists in Carrigaline because of the Minister's continued policies over a number of years which have contributed to the collapse of about five builders in that area, creating particular problems for people who had their houses half-built or who are living in estates now not completed? Does he realise that because of his policies the council have little or no redress in regard to having these estates put in decent livable condition?
I fear the Deputy has again got the facts wrong. There are ten unfinished estates in the Carrigaline area; three will be taken in charge shortly; five are in course of construction and will not be completed for some time; two have gone into liquidation and the council are negotiating to have the schemes completed by those responsible. In view of that it is foolish for Deputy Fitzgerald to suggest that because of something I did these people are not having their estates completed. It is a matter for the council to see that the terms of the planning permission are carried out and it is not my responsibility. No representations were made to me about this but I inquired from the council as the Deputy could have done if he had taken the time instead of putting down a question here.
Would the Minister not accept that it is he who probably in most cases does not know what he is talking about? Rather than bluff me, would he not further inquire as to the accuracy of the fact that in five housing estates in Carrigaline four builders have gone into liquidation because of the policies continued by the Minister which have crucified builders of private housing estates? The Minister knows that as well as I so——
A brief question, please Deputy. The Deputy is embarking on a speech.
May I ask the Minister if he would not like me to lecture him for a change and say that it is about time he opened his eyes——
The Deputy is indulging in argument.
I do not know if it is right to continue the discussion: I would not call it a lecture. Deputy Fitzgerald has been repeating a number of inaccuracies. Cork County Council should know the facts and they have told me the facts as I have repeated them to the House. I assume they know what they are talking about and therefore I suggest Deputy Fitzgerald does not know the facts.
Would the Minister repeat for the record of the House the number of builders, erecting private houses, who have gone into liquidation in the Carrigaline area during his term as Minister for Local Government?
I did not make any statement about the number of builders who had gone into—I was referring to the estates which are unfinished——
I beg the Minister's pardon—he referred to two. If the Minister is so adamant about his accuracy, it is time his bluff was called——
There must be some finality about this matter.
I am a little tired of Deputy Fitzgerald talking about bluff; he must have been reared on it.
(Interruptions.)
The facts are as the county council have informed me, and as I have given them here, that three estates are to be taken in charge in the next three months; five are in the course of construction and will not be completed for some time and two have gone into liquidation and negotiations are going on.
A final supplementary.
The Minister stated, and I want him to repeat, that there are only two estates in Carrigaline where the builders have gone into liquidation.
That is the information I have got from Cork County Council.
Will the Minister accept from me that his information is inaccurate and it is time he listened to somebody rather than keep telling every Deputy that he does not know what he is talking about. On this occasion it is the Minister who does not know what he is talking about.
I am calling the next Question now.
I suggest that the Deputy should take it up with Cork County Council and find out the facts. He might save the House a lot of time.
I suggest the Minister should pull the wool from his own eyes.
(Interruptions.)