Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When the point is made from the Chair, it is more helpful. I ask the Minister of State to reflect on that.

I take his comments in the tone they are made because what they are essentially saying is that often in Ireland we do not devolve enough responsibility to local authorities and that we do not give them the powers to pursue it. What he said is that this is a matter for both the executive and the elected members of the local authority. I would expect it to first follow through on the procedures that are available to it. Second, I would expect it to apply additional funding and priority to them.

The Minister of State said that the local residents should identify issues that are required, and they have done that. Those matters are simple. They want to know what the plans are for the old builder's yard, which is adjacent to the entrance. There are three retail units planned on this site and they want to know if they will go ahead and who will develop them. If they do not, they want to know if it will be reseeded and grassed. There are relevant internal roads that are due to be resurfaced and they have asked when that will happen. The kid's playground, which I have mentioned, needs to be renovated and brought up to purpose, and the green areas in front of Heathfield View are surrounded by fencing, which is attracting illegal dumping.

These are all matters that are perhaps best dealt with at a local authority meeting, and it is with frustration that we bring them to the House. I ask the Minister of State to see whatever role he can play, given the Ceann Comhairle's direction, and perhaps in response to the comments I have made. Perhaps he can just communicate the frustration that I conveyed to him directly to Fingal County Council. He could say to the council that the matter has been brought in front of the Minister and he could outline the procedure that he has outlined this evening. I will inform the council that I expect every step to be followed. As I say, there is a good news story here on the addition of 69 houses but it is a bad story when the residents have to enter through an estate that is unfinished.

See this speech in context