asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the fact that Mr. William Browne, 13 Merry Pole Lane, Blarney Street, Cork, together with his wife and eight children—four males and four females—live in a thoroughly dilapidated house consisting of two small rooms and a tiny loft with a leaking roof; and, if so, if he will make representations to have them provided with a suitable house.

I am aware that there are several lanes in Cork containing groups of unfit houses and that the city medical officer has been asked for a report on the order of priority in which clearance of these areas and rehousing operations should be conducted according as new houses become available. I can express no opinion on the relative merits of individual cases which are decided by the city manager after consideration of the city medical officer's reports and in pursuance of the statutory priorities governing allocation of houses.

The question addressed to the Minister ended up by asking him whether in view of the circumstances outlined he would make representation with regard to the rehousing of that family?

The Deputy will appreciate that where there is a housing problem distribution of houses is, not only in Cork but elsewhere, a ticklish matter. It would scarcely be desirable that a Minister should intervene to the extent of more or less indicating his opinion on a matter on which he was not as well informed as the city manager would be after having the report of the medical officer for the area.

Agreeing that it is a ticklish matter, would not the Minister agree that it is undesirable to have so many occupants tickled by a rainfall at night?

Yes, I agree entirely with the Deputy but, nevertheless, the contention which I put forward holds.

The Minister proposes doing nothing?

Would the Minister accept representations on behalf of the other 4,500 people in Cork who, according to the doctor's report, are ill?

Would the Minister ensure that no resident from outside the City of Cork gets a house in preference to people inside?

I believe that the Deputy, who was at one time himself a medical officer of health, is more conversant with the procedure in these matters than I am. I have stated what the position is and there is no need. I think, for me to say any more.

Would the Minister be prepared to say that the procedure is being followed?

As far as I know, yes.

That is an evasion.

It reveals the condition of housing in Cork City.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he will get a report from the city medical officer for health as to whether any or all of the houses in Merry Pole Lane, Blarney Street, Cork, are unfit for human habitation.

I am informed by the Cork Corporation that a report has been received from the city medical officer in respect of 12 houses at Merry Pole Lane which indicates that all these houses are in some respect unfit for human habitation; that eight of them could be made fit at reasonable cost while the remaining four could not.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the majority of the houses in the village of Mayfield, three miles from Cork City, are without running water and sanitation, and what steps, if any, Cork Corporation have taken to extend existing sewers and water mains with a view to enabling residents of Mayfield to enjoy the amenities referred to.

I am not aware what steps, if any, the Cork Corporation has taken to extend sanitary services to the area in question. No proposals on the matter have been submitted to my Department.

Is the Minister not aware that Cork Corporation, at their meeting on the 10th July, on a notice of motion submitted by Deputy Alderman McGrath, had under consideration the extension of existing services to supply the needs of the area?

I am not officially aware of that, but I would expect that some member of the corporation would take the initiative in such a matter.

Would the Minister agree that it is about time?

The Deputy has a few colleagues on it himself.