asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that refuse dumping on an organised and planned scale by Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council appears to be continuing on the area of Sandymount Strand, Dublin which is an area governed by the Foreshore Act, 1933; the information that has been given by him under section 13 of that Act to enable this dumping to proceed; if he will make available a map clearly indicating the area for which permission has been obtained; the date on which that permission was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Strands.
4.
My information is that no dumping is being carried out on Sandymount Strand by Dublin Corporation or Dublin County Council. The Dublin Port and Docks Board some months ago completed reclamation of an area of foreshore in this location for which consent under the Foreshore Act, 1933, was originally granted in 1968. Consent was given to the ESB in 1967 for reclamation east of the area covered by the consent to the Dublin Port and Docks Board. I understand that reclamation was completed a number of years ago. I will make available to the Deputy a map showing both areas if he contacts my office.
Has the Minister the map available now and can he accept that I am now contacting him and would like the map?
Yes.
May I ask the Minister whether the map in question is one of a sufficiently large scale to show the area accurately? Is the Minister aware that all maps that have been made available to public representatives or other interested parties so far have been small scale maps with lines drawn with a thick pen, giving no clear indication as to the precise area in question? Can we be clear that we will now have a map which will show with precision the area for which permission was given and that that map will be authenticated as the one relating to the permission when it was given?
It seems adequate for the requirements, but should the Deputy wish it expended or blown up I am sure we can accommodate him in that respect also. Anyway, no further consent has been given since the consent to which I have referred.
Surely the Minister would accept that, if one has approved a rough, small scale map on which lines are drawn with a thick pen, that does not get one any further?
I agree.
Would the Minister not accept that when permission of this kind is given it must be given in the same terms as any permission which involves property, with an exact delineation on a large scale map? Is there such a map or is there not?
I would suggest to the Deputy that to a suitably qualified person the map I have here sufficiently indicates the area in question.
We shall see or not see, as the case may be.
Would the Minister indicate whether the map which he now has available is any different or has any more detail than the ones previously made available?
I have not seen copies of the map that was made available previously.
What scale is it? Perhaps the Minister would just tell us that, a simple matter of fact?
This map is approximately foolscap size.
What is the scale?
The scale to which it is drawn is not recorded here, but it does clearly indicate the particular area involved in the consent granted at that time.
It is not much of a map if it does not show the scale.
Is the Minister proposing to give me a map that has no scale indicated on it?
No, this one was not intended for the Deputy, but the Deputy asked for it particularly this afternoon and I will let him have it.
5.
asked the Minister for Transport the basis on which the Dublin Port and Docks Board claims ownership of a portion of Sandymount and Merrion Strands under a conveyance made to it by the Earl of Pembroke; the date on which it was legally conveyed to the board; whether his Department was consulted on the matter; and if he will make available a map indicating the precise area of Sandymount shore and strand that has been allegedly conveyed by the Earl of Pembroke and his estate to the board.
The Dublin Port and Docks Board acquired the fee simple interest in about 650 acres of foreshore on Sandymount Strand from the Pembroke Estate by deed of conveyance dated 3 November 1962. The board had been legally advised that the title of the Pembroke Estate was a perfectly good one. My Department was consulted and consent, as required by section 158 of the Harbours Act, 1946, was given to the acquisition.
I will make available to the Deputy the map requested if he contacts my office.
I assume the map will be made available on foot of this question and that I do not need formally to contact the Minister's office?
The Deputy may so take it.
This map will be on a proper scale.
Ceist 6 has been withdrawn.