asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the delay in starting work on the proposed scheme of houses at Shankill by the Dublin County Council, which was approved by his Department; and that this delay is attributed to an investigation by an outside expert on a possible proposed new main road at Shankill; and if in view of the urgent need for houses in the area, he will ensure that work is started without delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shankill (Dublin) Housing Scheme.
69.
I am aware that the Dublin County Council have deferred the invitation of tenders for a scheme of 28 houses at Shankill, for which plans were approved by my Department, until questions relating to road plans for the area have been decided. I have no doubt but that the county council are fully alive to the desirability of starting the housing scheme without avoidable delay.
Could the Minister say what he means by "avoidable delay"? How long will this inquiry take?
I am afraid I cannot give that to the Deputy because it is outside my control to a large degree.
Who invited the expert in? I understand it was not the Dublin County Council.
No; it need not necessarily have been the Dublin County Council. I am not prepared to say it was nor am I prepared to dispute the Deputy's statement that it was not, but there has been an expert called in and I think for very good reason.
Does it not seem somewhat strange that after the Minister's Department and the Minister approved of this proposal, an expert was brought in by another body outside the relevant local authority and because of that the matter is being delayed?
Of course, matters can arise and have arisen in this case which were not foreseen or envisaged at the time of the proposals or the sanction by my Department. I think it is only prudent, from what I know of the circumstances, that we should wait some further development by way of report before this should go on. I do not anticipate the delay will be long. Anything that rests in our power and in the power of the Department will be done to ensure that the building will go on satisfactorily.