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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Apr 1970

Vol. 245 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Corporation House Squatters.

6.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that a number of Dublin Corporation dwellings are illegally occupied by squatters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am so aware. The administration of their dwellings is, by law, a matter for the local authority, by whom houses are allocated under a carefully established and democratically decided order of priorities which ensures that those in greatest need get preference in the allocation of tenancies. Persons squatting in corporation dwellings are attempting—often with the connivance of publicists and agitators exploiting genuine housing difficulties to their own disruptive ends— to upset these priorities to the detriment of families whose need for housing is greater than theirs.

While I recognise the human factors involved, I must add that it would be most unfair to these families, and to the community as a whole, to allow this to happen. Any concession to these methods could only result in chaos and the greatest injustice, in that houses would go to those who could exercise the greatest force rather than those in greatest need.

For these reasons I expect that the local authority will continue to use to the full the powers vested in them by the Oireachtas to control the problem and ensure that families entitled to houses will not be deprived of them by the exercise of force.

I should like to ask the Minister if any action is being taken in relation to the legal process which the corporation must go through in order to ensure that the squatters are evicted? Further, is the Minister aware that a number of cases have occurred recently? There was one case where a man had died and the wake was in progress when squatters moved in. There was a second case where squatters moved into a house while the woman was in hospital and threw out her furniture. This situation must be remedied as soon as possible. The process is too slow——

We cannot have a debate on this.

I am aware that there are organisations interested only in disruption, who are encouraged by some of the media of communication. They are engaged in this activity of depriving people who, in accordance with the priorities laid down by the Dublin Corporation, are entitled to houses. I am reasonably well satisfied that the corporation intend to put an end to this practice. It may be that the legal processes involved are time consuming but I am satisfied that this campaign will not be a success.

Things are well planned——

Further arising out of the Minister's reply, in view of the fact that thousands of persons on the waiting list have been deprived of accommodation——

(Interruptions.)

A Deputy

Deputy L'Estrange should keep his eye on Deputy Cooney. He will keep Deputy L'Estrange quiet.

I am proud and honoured to have Deputy Cooney elected.

Order. Would interruptions please cease? Deputy L'Estrange must allow Deputy Dowling to continue.

There are thousands of persons on the waiting list who are entitled to accommodation and they are being deprived. There are hundreds of families in Ballyfermot, Crumlin and Drimnagh who are being deprived of houses and they may not qualify in six or 12 months' time when the squatters are evicted.

If you build more houses you will have sufficient accommodation.

Will the Minister ensure that every effort is made to make certain that the corporation have the necessary equipment to deal with this situation? I understand that they have not at the moment.

I am keeping in close touch with the situation and the corporation will certainly get every assistance from my Department in ensuring that they succeed in putting an end to this illegal practice that is being encouraged by some of the mass media of communication.

I am calling Question No. 7.

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