Thomas P. Broughan
Question:136 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment when he will make a special amenity area order for the East Mountain, Howth, County Dublin. [14915/96]
Written Answers. - Special Amenity Area Order.
Seán Kenny
Question:145 Mr. S. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to make a special amenity area order for the high amenity area of the east mountain area of Howth, County Dublin, in view of the inordinate delay by Fingal County Council in carrying out the procedures for making an order in this matter and in view of the widespread public concern expressed by the citizens of Dublin and the Howth East Mountain Action Committee, regarding the reported purchase of these lands by a developer. [14018/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 145 together.
The making of a special amenity area order is primarily a function of the local planning authority. Section 42 (1) of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 gives a planning authority power, as a reserved function, to declare an area to be an area of special amenity when it appears to them that the area satisfies the criteria listed in the section. While there are powers available to me to direct a planning authority to make such an order, I consider that this is a matter which should be decided at local level as the elected local representatives are best placed to make decisions of this nature.