asked the Minister for Local Government what plans Dublin Corporation have for the site at the Ranch, Ballyfermot, Dublin, part of which is the subject of a compulsory purchase order.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Site Plans.
106.
The only information available to me about this site is that a compulsory purchase order for the acquisition for the purposes of the Housing Act, 1966, of approximately three acres of land at St. Mary's Terrace, Inchicore, otherwise known as the Ranch, was submitted to me for confirmation on the 5th instant.
Part of this has now become waste land and dumping is taking place there. This is a nuisance to the people in the area. I respectfully ask the Minister would it be possible to get details from Dublin Corporation as to what they intend doing with this land. There must be something in their minds if they are seeking a compulsory purchase order on some of the houses there. There is a big area of waste ground. Could we have some idea as to what they are going to do there? I am anxious to have this information.
I will inquire from the corporation.
107.
asked the Minister for Local Government what plans Dublin Corporation have for Brickfield Park, Drimnagh, Dublin.
108.
asked the Minister for Local Government what plans Dublin Corporation have for Lansdowne Valley, Drimnagh, Dublin, which is at present a source of nuisance to the residents in the area.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.
I cannot understand why these questions have to be taken together. Brickfield Park and Lansdowne Valley are——
Perhaps the Deputy would wait for the reply.
There are no proposals before my Department on the matters raised by the Deputy, which are the concern of Dublin Corporation.
I understand, however, that park development is intended for both of these areas and that in the case of Brickfield Park stage one of the development was carried out last summer.
With regard to Lansdowne Park, I have been in contact with Dublin Corporation and I have been told that this is owned by a private individual who is at sea and that is why I could not understand how the Minister could relate Question No. 107 to Question No. 108. I asked what plans Dublin Corporation have in view of the fact that this man owns the property, is not paying rates and cannot be contacted by Dublin Corporation. This is a marshy, rat-infested area and it is a nuisance to the residents of Drimnagh. It is not a public park and I am wondering why the two questions should have been taken together. The latest information from Dublin Corporation is that the owner is at sea and they cannot contact him. They are doing nothing. Is there a possibility of getting a compulsory purchase order?
The Deputy was going on the right lines when he was asking Dublin Corporation about this. It is their concern and not mine. If the Deputy continues asking questions of the people who have the information he will be doing himself a greater favour than he does by addressing questions to me. I am trying to oblige the Deputy.
I appreciate that, but I cannot get information from Dublin Corporation and, because there is no council, we cannot demand information. We get vague replies which mean nothing. We are certainly not getting information. I wonder if the Minister could get more details about Lansdowne Park.
The only information I have is that the corporation are attempting to acquire these lands under the Derelict Sites Act.
Now we hear this. The Minister did not tell me that in his original reply. The Minister has an obligation to the House. Now he decides to give the relevant information at the last minute. I protest strongly against this. Ministers are not answering questions. We had that experience already today with the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Finance.
The Deputy is making a statement.
This is a disgraceful procedure and I do not think we should tolerate it. Ministers have an obligation to answer questions.
Of course. I have already answered 80 questions.
I do not care if it is 180.
Deputies may not indulge in argument at Question Time.
I wish to register a strong protest about not getting the proper answers to our parliamentary questions.