asked the Minister for Finance the progress, if any, that has been made in relation to the provision of proper accommodation for two rowing boats the property of St. Michael's Rowing Club, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, at or in the vicinity of the cast pier in Dún Laoghaire.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Boat Accommodation.
14.
As already pointed out to the Deputy, the slipping facilities at Rogan's Slipway are public and available to the club. The Commissioners of Public Works have no free space to accommodate the club otherwise.
On the last occasion the Parliamentary Secretary informed me that the boathouse in question is in the ownership of the Naval Service. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is not being used by the Naval Service at the moment? It is on Rogan's slipway and it would be an excellent temporary accommodation for this rowing club which caters for over 1,000 people in the Dún Laoghaire area. The Parliamentary Secretary said that he might consider the possibility of giving them the boathouse on a temporary basis. Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that that is a reasonable request?
I made inquiries as requested and I have now been told that the commissioners' boats will need the space.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary saying now that the boathouse is not the property of the Naval Service but the property of the commissioners? The information I received on the last occasion from the Parliamentary Secretary was that this boathouse was owned by the Naval Service.
It is the commissioners who have taken over.
During the last four or five weeks the ownership has changed?
I would not say that The commissioners went out of their way by giving the boat club the facilities last year free of rent.
They did and one would imagine that the commissioners might extend their hospitality this year even on a temporary basis. Surely the Parliamentary Secretary might prevail on the commissioners to give this boathouse on a temporary basis to the club? It is not being used at the moment as the Parliamentary Secretary says. This appears to be a somewhat dog-in-the-manger attitude——
I am surprised at the Deputy saying that.
Question No. 15. Next question, please.
(Interruptions.)
I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy in respect of that matter. Question No. 15.