Dublin County Council have provided eight serviced sites of which three are from the programme of 30 sites referred to. Further action on this programme was severely disrupted as a result of a High Court ruling of May 1988 which had the effect of suspending progress on the programme pending a variation of the development plan. The variation was formally made in June 1989 and this allowed the programme to proceed. The present position is that one site is under construction, approval to go to tender has issued for three more and a fourth, for which approval to go to tender has issued, is delayed by court action. Dublin County Council have made limited temporary arrangements to improve the conditions of some travellers on unofficial sites and I understand that further work of this nature is envisaged.
I am fully aware of the conditions prevailing and I am concerned that the housing authority, who are primarily responsible for the accommodation of travellers, should do their utmost to alleviate their plight. Furthermore, the necessary capital finance is available for any proposals for halting sites brought forward by Dublin County Council and approved by me. In the circumstances I do not consider it appropriate, having regard to the council's overall responsibilities, to take up the invitation referred to in the question.