asked the Minister for Finance if he will cause instructions to be issued to the Board of Works for the immediate clearance of the sites of the old General Post Office, Four Courts, and Custom House, and the ruins of the destroyed premises of Upper O'Connell Street, and if he is aware that the delay in carrying out this work is depriving many of the unemployed of urgent relief.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DUBLIN RUINS.—CLEARANCE OF SITES.
Considerable works of clearance have already been carried out on the sites of the old General Post Office, the Four Courts, and the Custom House, and it would be unduly expensive to carry the clearance any further until rebuilding is undertaken. Minor works of restoration are proceeding in the Four Courts.
As regards Upper O'Connell Street, in view of the fact that awards have now been made by the Recorder to the owners of destroyed property in that area, there is no reason why clearance of the several sites should not be undertaken forthwith by the respective owners. As stated in an answer to a previous similar question, I am advised that under the Damage to Property Compensation Act, the Minister for Finance has power to compel the owners of the destroyed premises in Upper O'Connell Street to rebuild within a reasonable time, and I am prepared to make use of this power to expedite the rebuilding of the destroyed area.
Arising out of that portion of the Minister's answer where he suggests that the respective owners can start the work, may I ask him whether an agreement between the Board of Works and the owners of the property for the clearing away of the sites by the Board of Works, is to be put into operation, or whether the owners can act entirely on their own?
The Deputy had better put down a separate question in regard to that matter.