asked the Minister for Local Government whether in view of the despoliation of the small remaining amenity of green space in the city centre and the consequent increased congestion in the area he will reject the proposal by the Trinity College authorities to build a new Arts block on the proposed site.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trinity College Arts Block.
132.
This matter has come before me by way of appeals by third parties under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 against a decision of Dublin Corporation as planning authority to grant permission for the proposed development. An oral hearing of the appeals has been requested. All interested parties will get due notice of the date and venue of the oral hearing and any representations they may wish to make at the oral hearing will be given due consideration by me when deciding the appeals.
I would remind the Deputy that the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 and the regulations thereunder indicate the matters which I should take into account in determining a planning appeal and the procedure to be followed before a decision is taken. In particular, the regulations indicate that, where an oral hearing is being held, a relevant matter to be taken into account should be put to the parties to the appeal so that there is an opportunity of considering the views of all parties on it at the hearing.
I trust that on reflection the Deputy will agree that it would be more appropriate if the consideration he mentions were raised through the appeals procedure rather than through the procedure of Parliamentary questions.