asked the Minister for Local Government what consultations he proposes to initiate with a view to formulating Government decisions on the recommendations of the Buchanan Report.
35.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Buchanan Report.
34.
asked the Minister for Local Government the Government's attitude towards the Buchanan Report which recommends the setting up of a few growth centres as this proposal would have detrimental effects on the rest of the country.
36.
asked the Minister for Local Government if a full appraisal has been made of the repercussions which will arise from the implementation of the Buchanan Report; and if in order to allay public anxiety he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 35 and 36 together.
As indicated in the Government's statement of 19th May, 1969, on the occasion of publication of the Buchanan Report it was decided in view of the wide implications of the consultant's recommendations that they should be further considered in the context of proposals for regional development generally. It was also announced in that statement that regional co-ordinating groups of planning authorities and other public bodies are to be established in each region. The further consideration of the recommendations in the context of regional planning and development is being undertaken in consultation with other Departments and public bodies concerned and views and representations received from whatever source will be considered.
I did not hear the Minister say that he was answering these questions together and I did not think he was answering my questions and I claim the right to put a supplementary to him.
The Deputy is entitled to put a question.
Is the Minister aware that the implementation of the Buchanan Report will obviously ring the death knell for quite a number of our towns, large and small, which are not included in the report as growth centres? Does the Minister think it proper that an Irish Government should accept this cold, clinical economic analysis of our country from a man sitting in an office in London? Does he not consider that the report, while it may be said to be economically wise initially by these experts, is totally unsuited to Irish needs? In those circumstances will the Minister give the House an assurance that nothing will be done to implement the report without the closest consultation with all local authorities and, of course, with this House? The Minister will surely be aware that very many towns——
We cannot have a debate on these questions.
I am putting it to the Minister that in respect of my own county, Tipperary, one of the largest counties in the country, no town has been designated a growth centre and I want to ask the Minister to what extent, if any, political influence was used on the gentleman concerned in that comparatively small towns have been included in the report while other towns have been excluded?
I do not agree the report sounds the death knell of any rural town and, as I said, no final decisions in regard to the implementation or acceptance of the report have been made.
In view of the serious implications for such towns as those mentioned by Deputy Treacy, will there be an opportunity of discussing this whole report before the Government make any final decision?
The Government are prepared to take into consideration any representations that are made to them.
I have asked will there be a discussion here in the House on the Buchanan Report.
Hear, hear.
That could be arranged.
Would the Minister say when he expects to be in a position to make a decision on the report?
No. It has not been fully considered by the Government yet.
Could the Minister say if it will be months, a year, or two years?
I do not know.
The Minister cannot say?
I do not know.
Will the Minister say will the debate be held early on before decisions begin to harden?
I did not propose any debate.
The Minister agreed to a debate.
I said it could be considered.
Arranged.
Will the Minister consider having it at an early stage before decisions harden in the matter?
It will not be until the Government have fully considered the report.
And decided?
Until after the Government have considered it.
But before they have decided?
I said until after the Government have considered it.
But before they have decided.
I will give my reply. The Deputy can ask the questions.
The Minister will give his non-reply.
I am calling Question No. 37.
It is not entirely a matter, with all due respect, for the Minister for Local Government. Other Ministers are involved and I would ask the Taoiseach to arrange for a free and open debate because every Member of the House is affected by the implications in the Buchanan Report.
May I ask one last supplementary question?
I have called Question No. 37.
The Minister said he did not agree the report sounded the death knell of certain towns. Let me put it to the Minister that it is reasonable to assume that industries in future will tend to be attracted to these growth centres, in which all the attractions will lie, such as industrial sites, buildings, technical know-how——
We cannot have a debate on the question.
——and special grants. The people in the rural areas and in the towns and villages will be expected to go to these growth centres. Does that not mean that ghost towns will emerge?
Order. Question No. 37.
Does that not mean our countryside will be denuded of its population?
Order. We cannot have a debate on this.
There is no reason to believe growth centres will develop to the exclusion of other towns.