asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that the Phoenix Park racecourse has been purchased by a builder; and the steps he proposes to take to ensure that this open space and amenity is preserved for the people of the area.

I am not so aware. In any event it is not a matter in which I would have any funtion. Responsibility for the planning and development of their area including the preservation of amenities rests with the planning authority, in this instance, Dublin County Council.

Is the Minister prepared to accept the sincere concern of Deputy Clinton in putting down this question not only on his own behalf but on behalf of all Dublin Deputies and of many Dublin people and can the Minister give a guarantee that at Government level he will do everything possible to ensure that this major amenity for the whole city— one of the few there are—will not be interfered with in the way implicit in the question? Secondly, would the Minister not agree that ultimately he could have a strong influence on a matter of this nature?

In answer to the first half of the question, I can give no such guarantee. I have no function in this matter which is one for Dublin County Council.

Ultimately.

Dublin County Council are not aware of this area being sold so far as I can ascertain. The company concerned are owned privately. Therefore, I have no function in relation to the racecourse concerned.

We have come to the end of Question Time.

Would the Minister accept that there are green areas such as the one in question in the city which, although privately owned in some cases, are of vital importance to the environment of the city area? It is a matter about which I trust the Minister would be concerned.

Are we to extend Question Time for the Deputy?

I accept that the matter would be one of concern for me, not only because of the green areas but because this is the type of amenity that would be a cause for concern if sold for any other purpose.

Will the Minister keep an eye on it?

Yes, so far as I can but my function is limited.

The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper for the next sitting day.