(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Local Government if the roadways in the CIE housing estate at Inchicore, Dublin have been taken in charge by the local authority; and if he will state the services that are provided by Dublin Corporation for residents in this estate.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to his previous question of 30th November, 1976, when I indicated that the estate is owned by CIE, that the corporation are not responsible for maintenance and that I have no power to intervene in the matter. I understand from the corporation that the roads are not in charge of the local authority. The corporation provide a refuse collection service. Public lighting is also maintained on the basis of recoupment of the cost by CIE.

(Dublin Central): Is the Minister aware that CIE have disposed of their property to the tenants over the past year or two, and CIE maintain they are no longer responsible for the upkeep of the roads? Nobody is charged now with the upkeep of these roads.

If that is so the question should be raised with the local authority who would have the right to take over the area and maintain the roads if they thought that was the right thing to do. There is no way in which I can interfere in the matter.

(Dublin Central): The residents are paying their rates to Dublin Corporation. Dublin Corporation maintain that £100,000 must be spent on these roads by CIE before they will take them over. They can make no headway with the Minister for Transport and Power.

The question posed must be the responsibility of the Minister in possession.

Deputy Fitzpatrick is attempting to switch responsibility on to me for something which is not my responsibility. The corporation have indicated the estate is owned by CIE. It is between the corporation and CIE to decide what should be done. It does not arise in my Department at present.

(Dublin Central): CIE specifically maintain it is not their property any longer, that they have disposed of it, they have sold it to the residents.

The corporation say the estate is owned by CIE. That is the information I have.

(Dublin Central): I am afraid the information the Minister has is misleading. I have had several deputations from the residents of this estate who stated that they are now the owners of this property, that they are paying their rates to Dublin Corporation, and they maintain they are entitled to these services.

Would the Deputy consider asking one of his colleagues to raise the matter with Dublin Corporation? It is not a matter for me at present.