asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that, as a result of the restoration of his former lands to Colonel R. B. Charteris by the annulment of the Tipperary South Riding Compulsory Purchase (Labourers Acts) Town of Cahir, Order, 1954, labourers' cottages will have to be built on a most unsuitable site, which is threequarters of a mile from the town, which will entail greatly increased cost for site development and sewage and water amenities; and, if so, if he will state (a) the reasons why he annulled the order, (b) who will be responsible for the extra cost involved, and (c) if suitable transport will be provided for the workers in the alternative site suggested, which is both backward and unsuitable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Labourers' Cottages in Tipperary.
Under the Order in question the Tipperary (South Riding) County Council sought to acquire a site in Cahir Park Estate which is used as a town park and recreation grounds and by the local G.A.A. Club, the District Nursing Association and the Irish Countrywomen's Association. All of these bodies, together with the owners of the adjoining Cahir House Hotel, objected to the Order.
The evidence given at the inquiry showed that the compulsory alienation of this property would disrupt important recreational and social facilities at present enjoyed by the inhabitants of the town, that the provision of houses on the site would be contrary to town planning principles and that an equally suitable alternative site is available about half a mile from the centre of the town and can be got by agreement. I am not aware that the cost of development of the alternative site would be greatly in excess of that of the proposed site. The foregoing are the considerations which led the Minister to annul the Order and, in view of the facts stated, (b) and (c) of the Deputy's question do not call for a reply.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the proposed alternative was a bare, barren hill? The nearest tree or bush is miles away —almost at Mitchelstown, 18 miles away. Is he further aware that the owner of the land in question has no fewer than 2,000 acres inside which he is firmly entrenched and surrounded by what are better known in Tipperary as the famine walls and that each and every attempt by workers to penetrate inside those famine walls has been unsuccessful up to now? The reasons given are quite flimsy. The Countrywomen's Association have a temporary garage and the G.A.A. have a temporary letting of a field. One excuse is flimsier than another. Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if he will have inquiries made which will disprove the statements which were in no small way responsible for the decision of the sworn inquiry?
I am aware that local opinion on the selection of the park site was practically evenly divided. The Deputy knows that the decision compulsorily to acquire it was taken on the casting vote of the chairman. I am sorry I must differ with the Deputy on this matter, but I can assure him that all the considerations he has referred to were taken into account before this decision was arrived at.
I take it this is an example of the democratic rights which the present Government told us were being restored to local authorities.