Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, has absolutely no excuse for refusing to meet the residents of Priory Hall. He offered the excuse that related issues were before the courts. He also claimed that it was solely a matter for Dublin City Council. Neither of these excuses is valid. There is nothing in law and no court order to stop the Minister from sitting down with residents to address the issues involved. If it was occurring in his constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, he would be talking to or meeting them outside the gates of Leinster House, irrespective of whether a Supreme Court appeal was pending. Mr. Justice Kearns, President of the High Court, has stated the various branches of government, including the Department and the city council, should be putting their heads together to find a solution.

This issue is bigger than Dublin City Council. It is a national issue, with implications for planning and development, fire safety regulations, on-site building inspections and the functions of local and central government. In court counsel for Dublin City Council stated responsibility lay with the Department. However, the Minister has said it lies with the city council. The Priory Hall evacuees are being kicked like a football between the two agencies. Hundreds of people have had to be evacuated from Priory Hall and are living in emergency accommodation. They do not know what the immediate or long-term future holds for them. They have received widespread support from people across the city and the country, including from individuals disgusted at the conduct of the corrupt developer, Tom McFeely of Coalport, and the failure of the system of regulation and enforcement that allowed this disaster to happen.

It is shameful that the residents of Priory Hall have been refused a meeting with the Minister. They had to protest outside the gates of Leinster House yesterday and some colleagues and I joined them in solidarity. They should not have had to picket to demand a meeting with the Minister.

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