asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that Bundoran Urban Council have handed over their properties to Bundoran Holidays Ltd.; and if he is satisfied with this procedure.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bundoran Properties Hand-Over.
4.
I understand that the local authority have let, for the 1979 season, certain amenities in the town to the company. An application has, however, been received from the council for my consent to the long-term leasing of the properties to the company. This matter is currently being examined by my Department.
Will the Minister meet a deputation from the Bundoran holiday group to discuss this matter?
Certainly.
Question No. 5.
Is there any manner in which the people of Bundoran might be made aware of what is going on, because this seems to be a real problem?
A one-year lease is all that is involved. We have some information now with regard to a longer term lease but the question of communication was a big handicap in recent months in relation to the whole business.
Not if one comes from up there. Can any sort of public property be disposed of without public advertisement? Was this done in this case and can it be done again? Before there is any question of the Minister finalising any application in relation to the disposal of public property, under whatever circumstances, there should be a full disclosure——
A question, please.
I am asking the Minister to make sure to disclose just how this public property came to be available to a group which I understand contains a manager of the county and the urban councils and certain members, both past and present, of the urban council.
Question No. 5.
That company were set up in 1978 and the articles of association provided that the board of directors shall be composed of the county manager, the town engineer, four representatives of the urban district council, one representative from a licensed vintner's, one from the Bundoran Development Company, one owner of registered accommodation, one member of the Donegal/ Leitrim/Sligo tourist organisation, which amounts to ten directors. It seems to be fairly widely representative. The question of a longer term lease is what is involved now, as it is let for the short term of one year. I will certainly meet a deputation in relation to this.
It is not just that. It is not a question of whether this is right or wrong. It is a question of——
Question No. 5.
——whether the Minister is aware that only those who are immediately concerned seem to know what it is about together with what has been furnished to the Minister. This is causing the gravest disquiet and acrimony within the community when perhaps it should not arise at all.
The manager only informed my Department on 29 May that they were let for this season.
It has been going on for quite a while.
My Department were only informed on 29 May.
Is the Minister aware that the real fear in the Bundoran area is that if this Bundoran holiday grouping take over the urban council property and if at any time they run into difficulties the properties would revert to private hands. Therefore, I suggest that the Minister would ensure that at all times the properties would remain in public hands under auspices of a good representative body.
This is not appropriate to Question Time.
There is provision in the articles whereby in the event of this company running into difficulties any residue, after debts and liabilities had been satisfied, would be paid to Bundoran Urban District Council.
My concern is that the properties would revert back to private hands.
Is the Minister prepared to assure us that he will ensure the carrying through of the proposals of this company, and also can he let us know whether in any case in which public property is handed over to anybody, the procedures as laid down are adopted? The property concerned was in the hands of this company long before the Minister became acquainted with it.
The date concerned was May 28 but I shall be having a good look now at what is going on.
I trust that the Minister will be fully satisfied regarding the situation and that he will make known publicly the position.