asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the legal advisers to a number of county councils have advised their local authorities that the councils have no power to erect a second cottage on the plot attached to a vested cottage, and that they are prevented from erecting the second cottage by the Labourers Acts; and if he will consider sending a circular letter to county councils in order to clarify the powers of housing authorities in this respect.

As I indicated in reply to a similar question by the Deputy on 18th June last, housing authorities may, to avoid undue hardship, suspend with my consent, the statutory conditions which govern the use of a cottage vested under the Labourers Act, 1936, to enable a second cottage to be erected on the plot held with the original cottage. I am aware of only one instance where a housing authority, on the advice of its legal adviser, is reluctant to adopt this procedure. In the circumstances I do not consider it necessary to issue a circular letter to housing authorities generally on the matter.

Is the Minister aware that a number of local authorities would be glad to resort to this device of putting up a second cottage on a plot where one has already been erected, if it were known that the Minister would automatically sanction such cases where supported by the local authority? Would he therefore give the local authorities the general power of doing so without having to seek sanction in each case which would be a frustrating and delaying procedure?

In so far as the future is concerned, the matter is being considered in conjunction with general new housing legislation. In the meantime, the position is as I have stated and any local authority will be welcome to put forward their proposals.

Can I assume from what the Minister says that if the local authorities can ease their housing difficulties by building a second cottage on a plot where one has already been erected, such a proposal will be welcomed and sanctioned by the Minister?

That is the position.

It is not generally known that local authorities may do this.

I hope the matter will receive publicity from our discussion here.

I hope the Minister will make a statement on the matter when he is next speaking.

I have already adverted to this.

Is the Minister aware that the legal adviser of the County Dublin housing authority has given the advice that the Minister has no power to give any sanction for this and that the manager tells us that we have no power to do it?

So far as the legal adviser and the manager are concerned, it is gratifying to know that the members are so cognisant of the powers of these two gentlemen. I am sure they are equally aware of other powers.

The Minister is not suggesting Section 4?

It has been done before.