Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will meet the Priory Hall residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5722/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Dublin City Council is the designated authority with powers to enforce the statutory requirements arising under the Fire Safety Act, the Building Control Acts and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which are at issue in relation to Priory Hall. The Council is also the designated housing authority under the Housing Acts. The legal proceedings in relation to Priory Hall are continuing and it would be inappropriate to anticipate their conclusion.

My own responsibility, as Minister, is to ensure that appropriate statutory requirements, technical standards and administrative provisions are put in place under the relevant legislation. This responsibility is not in dispute. I have no role in relation to enforcement activity or in relation to the direct provision of housing services. Residents at Priory Hall and their representatives have previously been advised of this standing division of responsibilities. In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to meet the residents at this point. While I appreciate the very difficult circumstances which they are experiencing I must act appropriately and within my powers, particularly in a case such as this which is already the subject of legal proceedings.

The overriding priority is to facilitate the return by residents to their homes as early as possible. In this respect it will be necessary to ensure that these homes are made fit for purpose and that the costs of so doing fall where they should. I have asked Dublin City Council to do all within its powers to achieve this objective and I have asked my Department to continue to liaise closely with Dublin City Council in this regard. I urge all concerned to allow the Council to continue to deal with this situation in line with the standard arrangements in place for the discharge of its statutory functions.