asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will enlarge on his statement that the final plan for the development of Dublin Bay would have to conform to the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963.
19.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Development.
18.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether his Department have a copy of the detailed plan for the development of Dublin Bay; when the plan prepared by the consultants was handed over to the Dublin Port and Docks Board; and when the plan will be open to public inspection.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
I am informed by the Dublin Port and Docks Board that their long-term plan for the port will take the form of a report illustrated by a relief model and diagrams. The relief model was received by the board at the end of May, 1971 and some of the diagrams have also been prepared. Some of the material to be included in the report has also been submitted to the board but the balance is still awaited. When the entire material has been received and approved for publication by the board it will then be submitted to me and to Dublin Corporation and put on public display.
It is not possible to be precise as to the date on which the plan will be put on public display but the Deputy can rest assured that there will be no undue delay in so doing as soon as it is available.
As indicated in a reply to a Parliamentary question on this subject on 17th July, 1969, there is no question of the board proceeding with the various stages of development which may be provided in the plan without the agreement of the planning authority in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 and an assurance to this effect has been given to me by the board. When the views of the planning authority and of other interested parties are available they will be considered by me in consultation with the Minister for Local Government. The matter will then be submitted to the Government for any necessary decisions in the context of local regional and national planning consideration.
Arising from the assurances given to some group called Cáirde Fáil—I believe an auxiliary of the Minister's political organisation——
It was given to the Fianna Fáil organisation in the constituency concerned who were naturally and actively concerned about this matter.
I do not deny that providing sandwiches for any political organisation is an important function. However, is the Minister aware that before he made this important announcement to the privileged members of Cáirde Fáil——
Fianna Fáil.
I understood it was Cáirde Fáil.
No doubt the Deputy is familiar with the efficiency of the organisation in Dublin North Central?
I know all about the independent status of the Fianna Fáil organisation in Dublin North Central and Deputy Haughey knows all about its independent status also. However, before the Minister made his statement to the privileged members of the section of the Fianna Fáil organisation he addressed in North Central, was he aware of the statement on our national television station—if there is any of that left now—by the manager of the Dublin Port and Docks Board in which he said that this plan would be published for the benefit of the public by February, 1971? Why has there been this delay?
There has been a delay.
I presume before the Minister made his comprehensive announcement he was informed of the nature of the delay?
The delay was caused by the consultants who had been hired to help in the preparation of the proposals. The matter is now with the Dublin Port and Docks Board and a definitive statement and full publication will issue about October of this year
Can the Minister state at what stage in the procedure, which the Minister has helpfully outlined in his reply, will the public inquiry announced by the Minister for Finance in June, 1969, take place?
As long as the Government and the Ministers concerned in this matter are fully appraised of the situation, and as long as the public are fully appraised of the proposals involved, in my view this represents precisely what the Minister for Finance had in mind.
Is the Minister saying that the Government are dishonouring the promise by the Minister for Finance given in 1969——
Can the Deputy quote the statement?
If the Government are dishonouring the promise made by the Minister for Finance in 1969, does the Minister for Finance propose to preserve his honour by resigning?
The Deputy should quote the statement.
It is a very petty question.
It was a petty promise.
I am calling Question No. 20.
If the planning authority refuse planning permission, will it go on appeal to the Minister and, if so, what will be his decision?
I have given a Deputy the full assurance which has been received by me from the Dublin Port and Docks Board that the planning authority must give their agreement to any such proposals.
Can the Minister give an assurance that the ordinary men and women in North Dublin——
——and in South Dublin.
——those outside the privileged corridors of Cáirde Fáil or Fianna Fáil—will have any say in the final formulation of the plan? Will the old fashioned words like "democracy" and "participation" have any part to play? At an important moment in his career in 1969 namely, the general election, the Minister for Finance said that they would have a say in the final plan. Is the Minister now going back on the assurance of the Minister for Finance?
The Deputy should give the exact quotation—not his version.
Does the Minister deny making the statement?
I have asked that the statement be quoted.
I have already called Question No. 20.
Brian Boru was not the only man to meet his end at Clontarf?
Is the Minister stating that the plan will not be passed unless it has the full backing of the planning authority?
Yes.
Has the Minister kept in mind the fact that there is no planning authority in existence in this case, except the commissioner?
There is an effective planning authority administration under the commissioner.
It has no say and it does not represent the people.
I have mentioned that the fullest publication will be made of the proposals. Full consideration will be given by the Government and the Minister concerned and nothing will be done that cannot be approved by the planning authority——
There is no planning authority.
If necessary, every inquiry that can be envisaged will be carried out. First we must see the proposals and what is involved and then, if necessary, the Government can take all steps, including the step mentioned by the Minister for Finance.
I am calling Question No. 20.