asked the Minister for Local Government why planning permission to build a new house at Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare was refused to a person (name supplied).
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planning Permissions.
17.
On the 22nd March, 1974, the Clare County Council decided to refuse to grant an outline planning permission for the construction of a house on a site at Knocksaggart, Newmarket-on-Fergus, on traffic grounds.
On appeal the case was examined very carefully but there appeared to be no grounds which would justify a reversal of the planning authority's decision and the appeal was refused because of the traffic hazard.
I want to raise a point of order. Since the Minister for Local Government purported to answer questions this afternoon he has done nothing but hurl insults at Members of this side of the House.
This is hardly a point of order, Deputy Gibbons. I would appeal to Deputy Gibbons and all Deputies to allow the Chair to proceed with questions in an orderly fashion.
We want to know where we stand in this matter and we will not be walked on by you or anybody else. You think your business is to protect the Minister from questioning.
That is an allegation against the Chair.
We have had enough of your protection of the Government and we will not stand much more of it I can tell you that. I want to know whether the Minister has a right——
The Deputy may not reflect on the Chair in this fashion. It is grossly unjust that he should do so.
I do not think so. You are treating us in a grossly unjust way and we will not take it from you.
The Deputy must not reflect on the Chair in that fashion. If he has a dispute with the Chair there is a procedure.
We certainly have and I will resort to the procedure.
The Deputy is welcome to do so. Question No. 18.
There was quite a lot of talk when the Minister was replying to the question. Did he say that planning permission was refused on traffic grounds?
It was because of traffic hazard.
Is the Minister fully aware of the situation, that it is on the main road? I want to bring out a point to get an answer from the Minister. The applicant is a young man who got a site from his father, whose house is on the side of the road. When this young man was refused planning permission he offered an alternative exit through the entrance used by his father. The main road was widened.
I want to help the Deputy but he may not proceed on those lines to make a speech.
I am asking the Minister if he is aware that it is the Galway-Limerick road which was widened at that point and that the bend of the old road is in front of the house belonging to this boy's father where the exit is, and that portion of the old road is used as a lay-by.
The Deputy is embarking on a comprehensive speech. This is not in order Deputy Loughnane. I am anxious to help the Deputy but he is not helping the Chair.
I am asking the Minister if he is aware that the old portion of road in front of the house is used as a lay-by and anybody driving on that road can see this house back 20 yards and anybody coming out——
This is not a debate, Deputy. This is Question Time.
Is the Minister aware of that situation?
The information I have is what the Inspector's report gives me. His report says that the site is on a downhill slope, on a very fast stretch of the national primary road and that there are unbroken double white lines extending for 400 yards on either side of the site. The access is not on to the lay-by. In fact, the lay-by is closed and if it were open would attract traffic only in one direction and would not normally induce traffic to cross the unbroken white lines. That is the evidence I have.
Is the Minister aware that on the main road at that point there are actually four lanes of traffic?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that outside the man's house for 20 yards there is a grass margin plus the old road which is used as a lay-by? The exit comes out on that lay-by and is no hazard.
The Deputy is imparting information rather than seeking it. This is not in order.
This is a young married man.
I shall have to call the next question.
I can see that this man intends taking legal action and I want to avoid that. Would the Minister consider alternative plans from a humane point of view?
It would have to go to the county council first and I could not prejudge what the decision would be.
Question No. 18.
When the Minister took office I understood he would take a more liberal view of the Planning Act.
I am afraid we must pass on. This is an abuse of the privilege of Question Time. Question No. 18.
Would the Minister review the matter?
If it comes to me on appeal I will look at it. I cannot give any guarantee.
18.
asked the Minister for Local Government why planning permission to build a house on Bushy island, Lough Derg, on the Shannon, was granted by him, even though the local people and the local authority have objected.
The outline planning permission granted in this case was revoked by Clare County Council on the 9th September, 1974. An appeal against the revocation has been made by the proposer.
As the appeal is now before me it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter.
Is the Minister aware of the agitation in east Clare particularly and in north Tipperary regarding the proposed building?
I am aware of it.
This building is on an island on the second biggest lake in the country, Lough Derg. Lough Neagh is the biggest one although some people say it is in another country. There are beautiful islands on this lake. People resent planning permission being given. The county council also resent it. We do not want houses built on the islands on Lough Derg.
I am sorry I cannot comment further on this.