asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that there is a big number of houses in the Elmgrove and Blackhorse Road area, owned by the corporation and by private owners, which are not connected with the sewerage arrangements, and if, in view of this, he will take steps to compel the owners of these houses to connect with the sewerage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sewerage System for Dublin Houses.
I understand that the corporation have under consideration at present arrangements for providing for the drainage of the houses owned by them in the Elmgrove and Blackhorse Road area which are not connected with the sewerage system. As regards the provision of sewerage arrangements for other houses in that area belonging to private owners I have no powers to compel connection with the public sewerage system. The question of compelling the provision of suitable drainage arrangements for premises which are without drains sufficient for effectual drainage is a matter for the sanitary authority. An appeal would lie to the court.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that the Dublin Corporation own a number of houses in Baldoyle which are not connected with the sewerage arrangements, and if he will represent to the corporation the necessity for connecting these houses with the public sewerage, and if he is aware that there was an outbreak of fever in Baldoyle recently which may be attributed to the want of sanitary arrangements in these houses.
As I explained in the reply to the previous question, the enforcing of the provision of sewerage connections with dwelling houses rests with the sanitary authority, in this case the commissioner for the Dublin County Council, subject to appeal to the court. I am not aware of any recent outbreak of fever in Baldoyle. Two cases of diphtheria occurred in that locality last July. They could not be ascribed to any defective sewerage arrangements in the area. I am making representations to the corporation in regard to these cottages.
Mr. Larkin
Is the Minister aware that these representations were made two years ago and that it is purely a political question?
I am not so aware. I cannot see in this connection what politics have to do with drainage.