asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that Somerville Avenue and Somerville Park Residents' Association, Dublin, have complained to the local authority on a number of occasions without achieving any redress in regard to (a) the lack of attention to the lane-way running from Somerville Park to Moran Road which has resulted in the accumulation of refuse and in rat infestation and (b) the similar neglect and condition of the ditch in front of 26 to 48 Somerville Avenue which is also rat-ridden; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the local authority concerned will act immediately to remedy these grievances of local residents.

28.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that Somerville Avenue and Somerville Park Residents' Association, Dublin, have complained to the local authority on a number of occasions without achieving any redress in regard to (a) the danger to pedestrians and traffic caused by the unfinished road and path surface which has remained unattended to at the junction of Somerville Park and Somerville Avenue for several months, (b) the need for widening of the entrance to Somerville Avenue from Saint Mary's Road and (c) the need for a roadway linking Somerville Avenue and Bunting Road; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the local authority concerned will act immediately to remedy these grievances of local residents.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.

I have recently received representations from the Resident's Association about the matters referred to in the questions and have raised these matters with Dublin County Council whose function it is to take any necessary remedial action to remove the causes of complaint.

Was there any reply?

There is never a reply to the Minister.

The county council have not got the time to deal with this type of matter. They are too busy drafting my election publicity.

Did the Minister get any reply to the representations made to Dublin County Council?

The Minister never gets a reply.

They have not the time. The chairman wastes their time doing other things.

One would expect that this would be addressed to the county manager and not to the members.