Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Minister of State on his response. In the three years I have been here, I have rarely received a response that pointed out the law dealing with the issue in question. I asked if the local authority had powers to deal with the issues and it is very clear from the Minister of State's response that the 1964 Act, which is very comprehensive, gives the local authority exceptional powers to levy the cost of this on the owner of the site and provides a mechanism to recover the costs, if required. We now need the local authority to show the will to do this. It has the power but, as I asked, why is it not using this power? That is the big issue. We have proved that it has the power under the 1964 Act so I ask the Minister of State to go back to the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and ask him to engage directly with Cork County Council and ask it why it is not using the powers it has under the Act. It has the explicit power to get its money back for the works it undertakes but a street has been closed for nearly three months and could be closed for another six months. We need Cork County Council to move and to deliver on this. The Minister should get involved with this case to ensure the local authority delivers on its role as an important driver of local and community issues.

This is a very important issue locally and ratepayers will not be there in 12 months' time because of the powers under the 1964 Act not being invoked. We have the legislation, now we need goodwill and activity on the part of Cork County Council.