asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the Kildare County Council are anxious to consider sympathetically applications for new council houses from the 16 ex-members of the Defence Forces living in Army quarters in the Curragh Camp but that the council are advised they cannot do so (without loss of subsidy) unless they are entitled after inspection of such quarters to take such action as they may deem necessary under the Housing Acts (including, if necessary, demolition); and, if so, whether he will amend the regulations to enable this to be done.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing of Ex-Members of Defence Forces.
I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy nor do I see any necessity to amend the statutory regulations governing the letting of labourers' cottages as suggested.
In this connection I would refer the Deputy to my replies to his previous questions put down on the 8th and 22nd ultimo.
Did the Minister say he was not aware that the position is as stated?
That is right.
The Minister's legal advisers and the council's legal advisers must differ.
If there is a difficulty of that kind, the simple way to have it rectified is for both these sets of gentlemen to come together and see where they stand.
I would most certainly ask the council's technical officers to do so if the Minister will be prepared to ask his to do likewise.
Apparently it has taken a long time to come around to this point, which should have been the obvious one long ago.
It is because the Minister did not answer the questions which were put to him.