asked the Minister for Finance the plans the Office of Public Works have for the two sites at Waterford Street and Lower Gardiner Street in Dublin's inner city; and the time scale for the redevelopment of these sites.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Sites.
18.
A contract for the purchase of a site of 2.6 acres approximately adjoining the Department of Education offices and bounded by Lower Gardiner Street, Waterford Street and Marlborough Street was executed by the Commissioners of Public Works in July 1979. The vendors have not completed the transaction. As the commissioners are not in possession of the site I am not in a position to indicate when it might be developed.
The commissioners have no other site in the area. I am aware that Dublin Corporation have offered two other sites, one on Gardiner Street and another on Marlborough Street, in substitution for the Waterford Street site. the Commissioners of Public Works are considering this offer.
Could the Minister clarify the position and indicate what precisely is holding up completion of the contract?
As far as I am aware, the deal is not completed, but I think the VEC have now acquired the site which the Deputy mentions and that a school will be built there. There have been discussions between the Office of Public Works and Dublin Corporation about another site and we are considering that. I admit the position is confusing.
As a member of the committee of the corporation which is dealing with the redevelopment of the adjoining area, I agree it is confusing. Would the Minister use his good offices to try to bring the two sides together to solve the problem?
My information is that the fault lies with the Office of Public Works because we had agreed to buy a site and paid a deposit of £90,000. We now find the site has been sold to somebody else and we could take legal action against them but that would not solve anything as the problem is between two State agencies. I am willing to help in any way I can to expedite the matter.