asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) whether the southern committee of Cork County Council wrote to his Department regarding the regional sewerage scheme for the south-western suburbs of Cork on 24th April, 1950, 16th December, 1950, and 9th January, 1951; (b) whether these letters were received in his Department; (c) the reason for their not being answered; (d) whether the Department was asked to treat the matter as urgent, and (e) if, in view of the fact that a large number of houses in this area are using improvised septic tanks pending the completion of the scheme and the rapid development of this area, he will now give it his immediate attention.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Sewerage Scheme.
As regards (a), (b) and (d) of the Deputy's question, the answer is yes. As regards (c) and (e) I have been in communication with the Cork Corporation with a view to securing their co-operation with the county council in this matter as the work would be carried out much more economically in conjunction with a section of the main drainage scheme for Cork City and a joint scheme would be advantageous to both local authorities. The matter has been under constant consideration and the financial issues have been discussed both in correspondence and locally with the two managers concerned. The county council have been informed of the position.
Is the Minister aware that I put down this question because of failure to answer letters sent on the 9th April last year, in December last year and in January of this year, and that no reply was sent to the South Cork County Council until three days after I had put down the question? A reply was then sent stating that they were in consultation with the corporation. I have asked the Minister why replies were not sent to these three communications which were marked urgent.
I have given a reply to the Deputy, that correspondence and conversations have taken place with both authorities.
The Minister has not replied to the letters that were sent in April and December, 1950. He sent a reply three days after I put down the question stating "in reply to your letter of 9th January", but the Department completely ignored the South Cork County Council.
What about having a sworn inquiry as to how public business is being performed?
I am not accepting the statement made by Deputy McGrath.
You ought to hold an inquiry.
Proposals for a main drainage scheme for the City of Cork have been under consideration for a number of years. A scheme has been prepared by a consulting engineer, but the local authority are reluctant to embark on its execution for financial reasons.
The matter became urgent when the proposals referred to in this question were submitted, as these proposals could most readily be put into operation in conjunction with the authorities of the county borough. The borough surveyor has suggested that a section of the main drainage should be undertaken now. This section would drain the Wilton area of Cork City and also provide an outfall into which sewers laid in the adjoining area would be drained. If this suggestion is not acted on it will be necessary for the county council to provide and maintain a separate disposal works to deal with the sewage of the area administered by them. The joint scheme would obviously be advantageous to both local authorities. It would initiate the main drainage scheme for the city which must be carried out at some time and it would avoid the necessity for maintaining disposal works in a built-up area.
In these circumstances, it is desired to explore every possibility of securing agreement with the city authorities before agreeing to the county council's proposals for a completely independent scheme.
The matter has been under constant consideration and the financial issues have been discussed both in correspondence and locally with the two managers concerned. Any delays which may appear to have taken place have been caused by these negotiations, which have not yet resulted in a decision by the Cork City authorities.
Is the Minister aware that the secretary of the South Cork County Council wrote to the Department and that the Department did not reply to him——
That is the answer.
That is not the answer.
How about dismissing another secretary?
Up in Cavan?
That is not the answer, and you know it quite well.
Is there any such body as the South Cork County Council?
Get your own body moving.