asked the Minister for Local Government the up-to-date position regarding a proposal to have a swimming pool constructed at Ballina, County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Swimming Pools.
69.
I am asking Mayo County Council to furnish additional information to enable their proposal to accept a tender for this pool to be examined in my Department.
Is the Minister aware that members of his own party in Mayo County Council were very critical of the long delay in getting this matter cleared up and a member for the Ballina area, who is also a member of the Minister's party, spoke very strongly about this? The Minister for Lands is the Deputy representing the constituency but he cannot put down Parliamentary Questions here. Would the Minister see to it that the matter is dealt with expeditiously?
Deputy O'Hara knows well that I am very anxious to facilitate the construction of swimming pools and I did not waste much time in the Department before I gave my approval to this project. It is not fair to expect the Department to carry the responsibility for the delay to date bearing in mind the fact that the lowest tender was received from Mayo County Council on 19th April, 1971, a little over a week ago.
Can the Minister say whether his Department have adequate funds at the present time for financing similar applications which are before him?
All the applications to which I have given approval will be financed. There is adequate finance available for those.
70.
asked the Minister for Local Government when sanction will be given for the acceptance of tenders for the construction of a swimming pool in Athlone, County Westmeath.
The proposal of Athlone Urban District Council to accept a tender in the sum of £53,296 for the erection of a swimming pool in Athlone will be sanctioned shortly.
Would the Minister please indicate what "shortly" means?
"Shortly" means in the very near future.
Would the Minister please indicate what "in the very near future" means?
I cannot give the Deputy any date.
Will the Minister say why not?
It is a definite expression of my intention in this matter. There are some minor details to be cleared up and they will be dealt with in a very short space of time.
Will the Minister say how long this tender has been in his Department?
It has been in the Department since 10th February and I will sanction it very shortly.
If there are still details to be cleared up I would suggest to the Minister that there has been delay between 10th February and almost the end of April.
That is not a long time remembering all the work the Department has to do.
Could the Minister say if it will be sanctioned by the end of May?
I have answered the question adequately.
Most unsatisfactorily.
Most satisfactorily. The people in Athlone appreciate what I have done for them in this matter and it is very unfair of the Deputy to come in here and try to cast aspersions on the Department or on myself in relation to the manner in which this has been dealt with. It has been dealt with most expeditiously and there will be no unnecessary delay. The sanction will issue quite shortly.
I want to remind the Minister that this time last year he encouraged the local committee in Athlone when he indicated that the pool would get sanction and they have collected the large sum of £15,000.
It is due to my encouragement that this pool is being built.
It would be a pity if the Minister spoiled the scene now by delaying on the matter at this stage.
I am surprised at the attitude of Deputy Cooney. Maybe it is an expression of his resentment that the swimming pool is being built at all.
That is quite ridiculous.
Is it as ridiculous as the allegation the Deputy is trying to make against me?