asked the Minister for the Environment his proposals for the implementation of the Kenny Report on land.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kenny Report on Land.
11.
Possible methods of dealing with outstanding problems on building land costs are under consideration in my Department in conjunction with other interested Departments. I will not be in a position to formulate my proposals until consideration of the complex problem involved is finalised.
We have had this reply before. Could the Minister give some indication of when we may have some measures on land before the House for discussion?
When I came to the Department the first thing I had a look at was the matter raised by the Deputy. It is a complex issue and I am awaiting a number of views on it. I do not want any undue delay.
Is it lack of will on the part of the Government or constitutional impediment that is causing these inordinately long delays? This has been dragging on since 1973.
I admit it has but I am unable to go further than saying I am having the whole position examined. I assure the Deputy I am as concerned as anybody else about the cost of building land and everything connected with it as regards housing.
Is the problem a constitutional one or is it a lack of will on the part of the Government?
It is a complex issue.
Is it a constitutional issue?
That is a matter for legal interpretation.
A Cheann Comhairle, this is a serious matter——
The Deputy has had three bites at it.
Yes, and I shall have another before I am finished.
If the Chair permits.
I am just asking the Minister, who seems to take this in a facetious manner——
I do not.
I think this is typical of the Government. I am asking him if there are constitutional problems. He does not appear to be able to tell me. If there are, let him tell the House.
The Kenny Report has been around for quite a while. The former Government examined it to——
That is no answer.
It may not be an answer in the Deputy's view, but before I make a decision every aspect has to be carefully looked into.
Is the Minister of State aware that the Minister for the Environment in November 1977 gave much the same answer, almost word for word, in relation to the complexity of the subject matter of the Kenny Report? Is it the view of the Department and the Minister of State that the matter has become any less or more complex since 1977?
The answer is as I said. The matter has been referred to a number of Departments and I hope we will be able to come to a decision on it in due course.
If that is the case, can the Minister of State give any indication of what his Department did to reduce the degree of complexity since 1977?
That is a separate question.
The Minister of State appears to be saying that he was starting a whole cycle of examination again. Is that correct?
No. The Kenny Report has been around for some time. When I was given responsibility for housing I decided to have a look at it.
I understand the Kenny Report is starting another lap of the track. Is that correct?
It has been investigated even by the Deputy's Government.
I am not denying that, but that is not the answer to my question. Did the Minister for the Environment examine it?
Yes, he did.
Is the Minister of State examining it again?
It is a combination.
Of what?
I am looking at it now.
There seems to be an attempt to put the Kenny Report on the long finger.
As Deputy Tully said yesterday, the Kenny Report is not the be all and the end all. The matter is complex, as everybody knows.
I am not disputing that. I am asking if it is precisely where it was in 1973.
We hope to be able to make a decision in due course.
Is it precisely where it was in 1973?
No.
The Department have considered this matter under various Governments since 1973. Having regard to the Minister of State's responsibility in this area, is he in a position to circulate the draft heads of a Bill based on the Kenny Report as of now?
No.
Is that the final answer?
No.
A Bill cannot be circulated now?
Bills are not circulated overnight.
We will save the Minister the work and give him a Bill next week.
In due course.