Vol. 529 No. 1
464 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 14 December 2000 concerning the sale of lands in Shankill, County Dublin (details supplied), he will reconsider his position in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1008/01]
488 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 112 of 14 December 2000, he will take any initiative to progress the situation as the delay referred to was due to his Department's reluctance to proceed or to conclude matters other than as currently indicated; and, in view of the fact that the views held by his Department are refuted by the purchaser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1886/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 488 together.
This case relates to the sale of a site in Shankill. The person concerned entered into a contract but failed to close the sale. The offer to refund half of the £10,000 deposit forfeited in accordance with the terms of the contract was made on an ex-gratia basis but a response to it has not been received. No further offer is contemplated.
The view that the Commissioners of Public Works were in any way responsible for failure to complete the sale is totally incorrect. The person in question was given every opportunity to complete the transaction and failed to do so. As the market conditions have changed considerably due to the long lapse of time since the original sale, it is not possible at this stage to proceed with a sale on the original terms. It is the intention to offer the property for sale on the open market shortly.
