asked the Minister for the Environment when he received the application of the Dublin local authority requesting an amenity area order for Dublin Bay, when the public hearing took place, the number of days set aside for the public hearing, its duration and when he will make a decision confirming in whole or in part the application of the local authority.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Amenity Order.
26.
A special amenity area order for portion of Dublin Bay was made by Dublin Corporation on 4 April 1977. The order was placed on public display in April-May 1977 and objections to it were lodged with Dublin Corporation. The order together with these objections was submitted to me on 26 May 1977 and in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, as the objections made had not been withdrawn, a public local inquiry was held on 14 days between 23 May and 30 June 1978. The inspectors' report has been submitted and I hope to be in a position to make a decision on the order in the near future.
I do not know what time the Minister will have for any other activity in the near future because, arising out of this Question Time, he has committed himself to doing many things.
Very little. I made certain I was not going to over-commit myself.
I am very glad to hear that. On behalf of the people of Dublin, and particularly those who live around the edge of Dublin Bay, I ask the Minister in the closing days of his office as Minister to close this file and to sign the order. He should not leave it for somebody else to do, where it will have to wait for another two years.
Is the Deputy aware that I have to await the full report and then decide? Probably he is not aware that this report consists of a total of 2,196 pages.
For God's sake, will the Minister start running his Department and stop letting the civil servants run him?
The civil servants are not running me. I have to get this report from the inspector concerned——
Who employs the inspector?
He is appointed by me. He is not running me.
Who is the boss?
I have told the Deputy that the report contains 2,196 pages of what went on at the inquiry and I have to wait for that.
The Minister is being run by the civil servants on every major issue.
The same applies to CPOs and so on and that is a fact.
The Minister is a very engaging personality but he is totally run by the civil servants.