asked the Minister for Local Government what controls exist on sanitary arrangements in relation to beat clubs and other such undertakings run for profit and whose clientele consists of young boys and girls.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beat Clubs.
73.
Sanitary arrangements at undertakings of the type referred to by the Deputy are subject to the controls provided for under the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878 and under the planning permission procedures of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963.
Will the Minister state whether he is going to allow the further erection of beat clubs and the expansion of these clubs around the city of Dublin and other urban areas in the country?
The Minister has no personal objection to beat clubs or other such recreational clubs for young boys and girls provided they are properly managed and that they comply with the sanitary regulations and the fire precautions.
Surely environment is more important than minor sanitary regulations, the environment these children are mixing in and the type of people they are mixing with?
Yes, provided they comply with the planning regulations and the other necessary regulations particularly sanitary regulations and fire precautions. I think the Deputy is being unfair because the management of these establishments have been most co-operative with the inspectors who visit them regularly.
On a point of order, may I ask the Minister why it is now the practice of the Department of Local Government to refuse to answer questions in relation to matters of such great importance as the lifts and the central heating in the Ballymun satellite town——
This is not a point of order.
——when his predecessor answered every question in relation to——
This is not a point of order.
I want to ask the Minister for a reason for that, on a point of order, as I have had numerous questions returned from his office.
As far as the Chair is concerned it is not a point of order.
I shall accept the Chair's ruling.