asked the Minister for Finance why the Minister of State at the Department of Finance has not met a deputation from Laytown-Bettystown, County Meath, Development Association which was asked for in November 1978; and on four other occasions since, to discuss coast erosion in the Laytown-Bettystown area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Coast Erosion.
20.
As I informed the Deputy on 13 December 1978, because of other prior commitments it is not possible to say when the statutory preliminary engineering examination of the Laytown-Bettystown case can be carried out by the Commissioners of Public Works but that authorisation by the commissioners is not necessary in the case of a local authority itself undertaking protection works.
As I explained to the Deputy in a subsequent letter, there is little further I could tell a deputation from the locality and I would still be loath to put members of a deputation to the expense of coming to Dublin when in my opinion a meeting at this stage would serve no useful purpose.
On at least three occasions the Minister assured me that his private secretary would discuss the question of the arrangements for the deputation to be met, but in spite of that neither the Minister's private secretary nor himself had the courtesy to tell me the date on which the deputation might be met. Is he aware that this deputation, consisting of representatives of not alone the Laytown Development Association but of the local golf club, two community councils, the two residents associations and the local pitch and putt club, are prepared to pay their own expenses to Dublin for the purpose of pointing out to the Minister how necessary this work is? Will he now have the courtesy to agree to meet the deputation at a date suitable to him?
The Deputy should not misinterpret all the discussions on this matter. I have a letter sent to the Deputy on 24 January 1979 explaining the position at the time. I have to be practical in this matter. It is not practical to bring a deputation to Dublin at their own expense when I have already given the information to the Deputy. In the last paragraph of my letter to the Deputy I more or less suggested that the Deputy would come back to me again to discuss the matter and told him that, if he wished me to receive a deputation, I would be only too delighted to oblige.
Does the Minister deny that not alone did I reply to that letter saying I wanted the deputation met but on three occasions in this House he told me that arrangements were being made to meet the deputation? Does he suggest that it is more economical to bring a deputation about coast erosion from Kerry, which he met last week, than to bring one from Laytown-Bettystown? Is he only worrying about the people in County Meath? I can assure him that they are well able to pay their expenses and they will be here if the Minister will agree to meet them.
If the Deputy is talking about something political I can discuss that with him. I will read the last paragraph in my letter to the Deputy, which stated:
There is very little further that I could tell a deputation and in the circumstances I would be loathe to put members of a deputation to the expense of coming to Dublin. In the light of what I have said you may wish to reconsider your request but if you wish to pursue the matter you could contact my private secretary.
I understand from my private secretary that the Deputy did not contact him.
The Minister should not twist facts in the House. Not alone did I not discuss it with the private secretary but I went directly to the Minister for Finance and he assured me that his private secretary was meeting me to discuss it. Will the Minister now agree to meet the deputation? Is it only deputations arranged by members of the Minister's party that are received by him?
That is very wrong and it should be withdrawn. I have never refused to meet a deputation, irrespective of from what part of the House it is organised.
Why not agree to meet it? The answer is yes or no.
If the Deputy wishes me to meet this deputation, as I said already, I would be only too delighted to do so. I do not wish to put anyone to unnecessary expense in coming to Dublin and giving that person the same answer as I have given the Deputy by way of a letter. If the Deputy wishes that I should meet this deputation, I would be only too delighted to meet them.
How soon can I expect to get the details of the date and time from the Minister's office?
This evening.
It is very wrong to say that I refused to meet a deputation.
The Minister simply avoided it. He told me one thing and then told his private secretary something else.