asked the Minister for Local Government if he has dealt with any planning appeal from a company (name supplied) to date; or if any such appeal is under consideration at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planning Appeal.
16.
A decision was made on 12th March, 1974, on a planning appeal made by this company and by other parties against a decision of the planning authority. There is no planning appeal from this company before me at present.
Can the Minister say whether, to his knowledge, Tara Mines proceeded to develop while the appeal was before his Department?
I have no such evidence or no complaint from the local authority that this was so. It is their job to see that the planning laws are carried out.
Will the Minister make inquiries into whether they proceeded to develop while the appeal was still under consideration?
This is a matter which Deputy Dowling should take up with the local authority if he feels there is something that should be investigated. This is not a matter for me. There was a very lengthy oral hearing and if Deputy Dowling felt strongly about this matter he was entitled to make representations to the oral hearing.
Question No. 17.
He is also entitled to ask question here.
He has got an answer to the question he asked.
An arrogant answer.
That depends on the way you look at it.
Talk sense and do not always get arrogant.
Question No. 17.
In view of the Minister's arrogant reply, can he say whether he was at a function recently to celebrate the granting of planning permission?
Question No. 17, please.
I was not. I want to make it very clear for Deputy Dowling's and for Deputy Brennan's information that I am not being arrogant but apparently the question which was asked by Deputy Dowling was for the purpose of doing what he likes to do in this House—throwing mud. I want to state categorically that I was at no such function and if Deputy Dowling indulges in that kind of thing, I do not.
The Minister did it to Deputy Dowling last week.
Let us have no more of this.
Is that the reason why he asked the question?
He is saying now——
Deputy Molloy, please. Let us continue in an orderly fashion.
We will be back again next week.
Deputy Dowling can ask any questions he likes. As long as I am over here I will deal with him adequately.