asked the Minister for Lands if he has received a request from Offaly County Council to provide them with a site for the erection of a dwelling on the Williams estate, Durrow Abbey, Tullamore, in order that a family (name supplied) who were evicted from their home on the 4th March 1971, may be housed; and if he will arrange, as a matter of special urgency, that the details in connection with this site will be finalised by the Land Commission so that the council may proceed to house this family who are at present in St. Vincent's Hospital, Tullamore.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing of Offaly Family.
26.
The Land Commission have been in consultation with local officials concerning the council's request for a building site on the Williams estate. A site was tentatively selected but was rejected by the county council for traffic reasons. Further negotiations are at present in progress with a view to resolving the matter.
The family have been living on the Williams estate for over 100 years and have been evicted by a capitalist landlord. They now find themselves in the St. Vincent's Hospital, Tullamore. In view of these circumstances, would it be possible for the Minister's officials to visit the area in order that this matter may be resolved between the housing authority in Tullamore and the Land Commission, so that work may be undertaken without delay for the provision of a suitable prefabricated house in order that the family may be rehoused on the estate?
The Deputy's speech has not been at all helpful. First, may I say there is no need whatever for Land Commission officials to visit the area, because they already know all about this case. Secondly, I have certain confidential information with regard to this matter, which I shall be prepared to give to the Deputy but not to the House. The Deputy is not helping the case of this family by the remarks he is making.
An assurance that a suitable site on the Williams estate will be selected on which to build a house for this evicted family will do me.
I will not say anything more than I have already said.
I am calling Question No. 27.
This is a matter of vital importance. The Ceann Comhairle may be unaware of the fact that this is a case where a poor protestant family has been evicted by a Catholic landlord. Surely, it is in order to ask sympathetic consideration of the Minister for Lands in providing a site for a house, out of almost 500 acres of land?
Let us hope the local press will please note. The Deputy will not tell me who I will have sympathy with and who I will not.
In view of the arrogance and the unsympathetic attitude of the Minister for Lands I wish to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
I shall not be here until this day fortnight. The Deputy should raise it in a fortnight's time.
I am prepared to discuss the matter with the Minister, if the Minister is prepared to discuss the matter with me.
I have already told the Deputy I am in possession of confidential information which I am not prepared to give the House, but which I am prepared to give to the Deputy.
(Interruptions.)