Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not necessarily against what the Senator is trying to achieve here. I ask him to give me an opportunity. Perhaps it might be more advantageous to raise this issue as a Commencement matter with the Minister. To be fair to the Minister, he is not hiding behind his desk.

My information on this issue is based on my time on the city council. As a former local authority member and a former Minister of State, Senator Ó Ríordáin will be aware that there may be a planning issue with local area plans here. I agree with him that there is an issue. If moneys are allocated or there is redress to be made, the organisation or institution should deal with local authorities and with the Government. I am not familiar with the cases mentioned by the Senator, which involve Vincentian lands at St. Anne's Park and Clonkeen. I have given my answer. It is important for us to look at the possibility of having a Commencement debate on the matter. I will get the Minister to come to the House in the next couple of weeks, if I can.