asked the Minister for Local Government the number of piggeries at present operating in the urban area of Dublin; if this represents an increase or decrease; and whether his Department have received any complaints from householders in residential areas in respect of these piggeries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin City Piggeries.
33.
Information concerning the number of piggeries at present in the Dublin city area is not available in my Department. My Department has not received any complaints about the piggeries in recent months.
Is the Minister aware that this is a serious problem in Dublin and is he proposing to take any action about it?
The Deputy may be aware that bye-laws were introduced by Dublin Corporation on the 21st November, 1969, and piggeries in operation before that date had a period of 18 months from the date of the confirmation of the order before the order applied to them. Therefore this order will apply to all piggeries in Dublin from 1st May, 1971, onwards. I should like to point out that we have not received any actual complaints.
If the Minister or his Department were furnished with complaints that people were actually suffering physical discomfort, and where a hazard to health is involved in a residential area, would they take action?
I would definitely have the matter investigated if the Deputy gave us some concrete information on which to act.
I personally brought this case to the attention of the Minister for Local Government——
Which case?
The case of piggeries in residential areas becoming offensive to the residents. I asked the previous Minister about this and he told me that the new regulations had been submitted to his Department but he was not in a position to state when they would come into effect. May I ask when will they come into effect? They had to be sanctioned by the Minister for Local Government.
The bye-laws were confirmed on the 21st November, 1969.
I brought to the attention of the previous Minister complaints from residents in specific areas.
If the Deputy has specific complaints I would ask him to let me know them.