asked the Minister for Local Government by whose authority and at whose expense alterations to the footpath and strengthening of the sewerage and other mains were carried out at Beach Road, Sandymount, Dublin at the junction of the causeway across Sandymount Strand and Beach Road; and whether he is aware that these alterations were carried out at the request of Roadstone Limited.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sandymount (Dublin) Development Works.
31.
I understand from the Dublin Corporation that the footpath alterations were carried out by them at the request and expense of Roadstone Ltd. I also understand that there was no strengthening of the sewers and other mains, but that the opportunity was availed of to carry out necessary repairs to the water mains.
32.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he has yet received the report of the consultant engaged by him to assess the amenity and recreational value of Sandymount Strand, Dublin; and, if so, if he will state the consultant's recommendations.
The planning consultant engaged by me to furnish a report on the Dublin Planning Region in general has been requested to advise, in the course of his recommendations, on the amenity and recreational considerations affecting Sandymount Strand. I have not yet received the views of the consultant on this matter; his final report on the region is due at the end of the year.
33.
asked the Minister for Local Government what portion of Sandymount Strand is still held by the Dublin Corporation for maintenance purposes; and if permission was granted by Dublin Corporation to Roadstone Limited to build the causeway across this portion of the strand.
34.
asked the Minister for Local Government if permission was given by him to Roadstone Limited to proceed with the building of a causeway across Sandymount Strand prior to the granting of planning permission for this causeway by Dublin Corporation; and the date on which he granted this permission.
35.
asked the Minister for Local Government if permission was given by him to Roadstone Limited to proceed with the building of a causeway across Sandymount Strand at a point 730 feet, approximately, east of that permitted under the terms of an agreement signed between the Earl of Pembroke and Dublin Corporation on the 15th July, 1950, and assigned to the Dublin Port and Docks Board on the 31st December, 1963.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 34 and 35 together.
I am informed by Dublin Corporation that under an Agreement made in 1936 with the Pembroke Estate the corporation are responsible for the maintenance of the sea wall adjoining Sandymount Strand, and that they hold a licence in perpetuity to use a strip of foreshore alongside the wall for the purpose of maintenance and repair of the wall.
As regards the causeway from Strand Road to the Roadstone site, I have been informed by Dublin Corporation that no details of this causeway were included in the plans lodged with them in connection with the application by Roadstone Ltd. for an outline planning permission for the construction of the concrete mixing plant or in the detailed plans later lodged with the firm's application for approval in respect of the plant. Permission for the construction of this causeway was not given by me.
The corporation's decision to grant approval for the detailed plans of the plant was made on 10th of this month. It was decided to grant approval subject to conditions requiring the removal of the entire plant prior to 1st January, 1971, and that direct access from Beach Road be closed off prior to the same date. On 14th February I received an appeal against this decision from residents in the area and this is now under consideration.
Does the Minister agree that outline permission does not give authority to build any structure?
Absolutely.
So, in fact, Roadstone was outside the law in putting down this causeway?
I am not aware of these things as facts.
They are there though.
That may well be.
The Minister should take a trip out there.
I have.
The Minister has?
Yes.