andMr. Donegan asked the Minister for the Environment the parties to the arbitration proceedings in relation to the contract for St. Finian's Park, Drogheda, County Louth; the length of time that these proceedings are pending; how soon they are likely to be completed; and why no decision, conditional or otherwise, can be made in relation to the remedial works necessary to the houses in St. Finian's Park, Drogheda, County Louth, until the outcome of this arbitration is known.
Written Answers. - Drogheda Housing Estate.
220.
The parties to the arbitration proceedings are Drogheda Corporation and the contractor who built the housing scheme. I understand that initial steps towards the holding of arbitration proceedings were taken by the corporation in the autumn of 1976. I cannot say when these proceedings are likely to be completed.
Until the outcome of the arbitration proceedings is known, it is not possible to determine to what extent the cost of the remedial works proposed by the corporation would have to be met by additional borrowings, and consequently what additional costs would be entailed for the Exchequer. Obviously no decision on financing can be given by me until I can judge the financial repercussions of the proposal on the Exchequer. Any decision which I might make regarding the acceptance or otherwise of liability for financing the remedial works could prejudice the outcome of the arbitration proceedings.
In the meantime, the carrying out of any urgent remedial works in individual houses is not dependent on a decision on financing. A total amount of £39,105 has already been spent by the corporation on remedial works to these houses and they have also spent £86,895 on normal maintenance works.