Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Jun 1970

Vol. 247 No. 10

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Smelter Plant Siting.

116.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he has seen reports that difficulties have arisen over the granting of planning permission to the Smelter Corporation of Ireland; and if he will take the necessary steps to have this smelting plant sited where planning permission will present less difficulty, namely, at the port of Galway.

Cork County Council, as planning authority, have granted planning permission, subject to a number of conditions, to the Smelter Corporation of Ireland for the location of a smelter plant at Little Island, Cork. A number of third parties have appealed to me against this grant of planning permission and the Smelter Corporation have also appealed against some of the conditions. In view of my statutory appellate functions under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, in relation to these appeals it would not be appropriate for me to make any comment in the matter.

In view of the interest which the Minister has shown in having the smelting plant located in Galway, will he make representation to the Minister for Industry and Commerce with a view to having the smelting plant located in the vicinity of the port of Galway, particularly because the mineral ores are mined there? It seems to me to be ridiculous that the smelting plant is not wanted in Cork, yet we cannot get it located in the west.

The Minister in his reply has stated that he has certain statutory powers.

I appreciate the point Deputy O'Hara has made but I should like to assure him that in my position as Minister for Local Government I shall act responsibly in all matters and carry out the trust that has been placed in me as a Minister. Personal preferences will not sway me in any decisions I may be asked to make in relation to matters which come before me as Minister for Local Government.

Barr
Roinn