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Hogan: ‘Inappropriate’ of me to meet with Priory Hall residents

Image: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

ENVIRONMENT MINISTER Phil Hogan has said it would be “inappropriate” of him to meet with the residents of the Priory Hall apartment complex in Donaghmede.

Hogan told a local TD that his role as Minister for the Environment, which includes responsibility for housing, was to bring in the appropriate legal requirements so that legislation approved by the Oireachtas could be put in place.

“This responsibility is not in dispute,” Hogan said, in a parliamentary response to former Labour TD Tommy Broughan. “I have no role in relation to enforcement activity or in relation to the direct provision of housing services.”

Hogan said Dublin City Council was the appropriate authority with the power to enforce requirements under the Fire Safety Act, the Building Control Acts and the Planning and Development Acts, all of which related to the circumstances at Priory Hall.

“Residents at Priory Hall and their representatives have previously been advised of this standing division of responsibilities,” the minister said.

“In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to meet the residents at this point.”

Residents from that complex were ordered to evacuate their homes in October last year after being told that the apartments posed a major fire risk, and that a blaze could sweep through the complex within seconds.

The residents are currently being housed elsewhere, at the cost of Dublin City Council, which has appealed to the Supreme Court to have this responsibility transferred elsewhere, saying it has faced costs of €700,000 to house the residents so far.

The director of the complex builder Coalport Developments, Thomas McFeely, has been declared bankrupt in England; an application pursuing bankruptcy against him in Ireland has been adjourned.

Previously: Priory Hall residents say they won’t pay household charge

More: Priory Hall residents: Ours will just be the first case of many

In full: TheJournal.ie‘s coverage of the Priory Hall saga

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Comments (40 Comments)

  • Pa McGarry 07/02/12 #
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    Hogan is a clown

    Reply
  • Keith Twamley 07/02/12 #
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    Inappropriate of Phil Hogan to be called ‘Environment Minister’?

    Reply
  • Report this comment

    Good man phil. Of coarse its inappropriate for you to meet these poor souls. Its always inappropriate for a politician to do the right thing.

    Reply
  • Francis Stokes 07/02/12 #
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    If there was an election tomorrow he would go out of his way to meet with the residents of Priory hall.

    Reply
    • Eugene O' Neill 07/02/12 #
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      Well said Francis the typically two face politician doesn’t have any time for the public until their gravy train job comes to the election and then its all smiles and promise’s makes me sick.

    • Gerard Murphy 07/02/12 #
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      Francis – that’s it in a nutshell. Can you imagine the crocodile tears from Big Phil if he was on the opposition benches?

  • Begrudgy 07/02/12 #
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    Coward.

    Reply
  • Eileen Gabbett 07/02/12 #
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    This is something I can never under stand …. Why is it inappropriate
    for the Minister to meet with victims of neglect ?
    These people bought these apartments/their homes in good faith ,
    yet here we are and nobody in authority is doing anything for them.
    Does Minister Hogan think that these people are some how looking to
    extort money?
    Does Minister Hogan think that these good people have somehow
    managed to convince a fire chief and judges that there is a real hazard
    to living in these buildings.
    I am curious ,has there been any link made between Priory Hall and the
    apartments that were gutted due to fire in Rathgar last year ??? I am
    curious.
    Is there nobody out there in public political life willing to stand up and say
    ”these people deserve better” .We all know they do .
    Hogan you are a mouse.

    Reply
    • Strongbow62 07/02/12 #
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      What we need is another patronising politician telling us what is good for us. It’s the I’m big your small, I’m right your wrong, shut up do what your told attitude that gets me.

  • Story Teller 07/02/12 #
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    If it was to his benefit or just to look good he would at least speak with them, but to actually be involved and be productive as it is part of his job as minister. Is he admitting his incompetence as that MInister and indirectly looking to be replaced?

    Reply
  • jimbo 07/02/12 #
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    second time in a day with a foolish comment,hogan your a twat just resign you cant do your job..

    Reply
  • Louise Bayliss 07/02/12 #
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    Surely if it his job to legislate for proper regulation, it would be educational for him to meet with people who have been victims of poor regulation? Seeing first hand the gravity of poor regulation is surely beneficial to him and his officers.

    Reply
  • Frank2521 07/02/12 #
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    Taxpayers money was used to purchase some of these apartments by Dubkin City Council. Why is the City Manager still walking around and not put in jail? He is responsible for buying over 25 apartments in Priory Hall from the developer while his company was under investigation by Dublin Ciry Council for failing to comply with building regulations on uuanother site. He handed over 5 million to the developer and didn’t even inspect the properties. I bet he viewed and inspected his own home at least 3 times before he handed over the money. Yet he handed over the taxpayers money without a second thought for the people who would have to live there. mr Hogan should look after the taxpayer and hold the people responsible to account – that is your job Mr Hogan.

    Reply
  • Jambbie 07/02/12 #
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    Inappropriate for hogan to reply to emails as well. As I said to Alan Farrell when canvassing for Eithne Loftus in the bye election, Fine Gael are middle class reps, and they’ll be lucky to last their term… Please God.

    Reply
  • Karl Doyle 07/02/12 #
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    No Hogan, its your job. You are the national body and in case you haven’t figured out national bodies oversee local bodies. Furthermore, you’ve the ability to make up any law you want within the realms of the constitution which this would be. He’ll do bloody anything to get out of his job.

    Reply
  • Report this comment

    Wasn’t inappropriate to meet representatives from the IFA and do a serious U-turn on the septic tank charge????????????? Them farmers have a lot of clout when it comes to voting as opposed to a small bunch of apartment owners!

    Reply
  • B7584 07/02/12 #
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    Sack Hogan. He’s not meeting his obligations to the people who hes mandated to be protecting.

    FG/LABOUR OUT!!!

    Reply
    • Louise Bayliss 07/02/12 #
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      But who do we put in??

    • Bernadette Dunne 07/02/12 #
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      Hi Louise Well done on your Achievement delighted to beable to type this to you here Well Done and The very Best Wishes to you for your future…..
      If he were in opposition he would be shouting exactly what you are saying Louise but now he thinks that he is MINISTER he really thinks it is okay to do nothing and nothing is what he will do for PRIORY HALL HOMELESS

  • Rory 07/02/12 #
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    Anyone else hear him called Minister for Septic Tanks on Morning Ireland?

    Reply
  • Dermot Murphy 07/02/12 #
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    Hogans a W**ker

    Reply
  • Report this comment

    Phil Hogan is not fit for purpose, and we all know what needs to be done in that case!!

    Reply
  • B7584 07/02/12 #
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    He’d rather charge you €100 for sweet FA.

    Reply
  • Michael Feehan 07/02/12 #
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    Can someone reply to me, as I’m fairly sure we’re all pissed off here, as to how we, the Irish people, the people paying bloody taxes, can get this SOB kicked out of government.
    Surely with the state this country and the rest of the world is at the moment, we shouldn’t have to wait for a general election?? Not that their replacements are going to be much better, going on what was promised by the current government and their predecessors.
    AARRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  • Ardo Ci 07/02/12 #
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    It’s absolutely right you shouldn’t meet these people Mr Hogan. Decent people shouldn’t be seen dead in your mindless presence.
    What’s happened to these poor people is partly due to the ineptitude of government to do its job so nothing less than a visit from the President will suffice.
    So Aaaaaarrrrrcgggggggggggz! From me too.

    Reply
  • Stephanie Meehan 07/02/12 #
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    http://www.facebook.com/events/224393994317243/
    If anyone has a couple of hours to spare this sunday, we’d all really appreciate your support!!

    Reply
  • Antoinette Milne 07/02/12 #
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    The more I hear from and about these ministers, a little bit more vomit comes up my throat. I am so angry at the cuts, the neglect of public duty but what angers me most, is the blatent disrespect this government has for every man woman and child that lives here. Everyone except the super rich has had their quality of life squeezed till there is virtually nothing left. What is happening to Priory Hall residents is disgusting. They are being brushed off at every turn, yet their fight is relentless. We should be learning from all of the residents, because they are not giving up their battle – nor should they. Maybe its time an aptly worded email was sent to Sky News/ Fox news and if they were interested, which I think they might be, it might shame our spinless TDs into some sort of action.

    Reply
  • Michael Manson 07/02/12 #
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    His attitude is evident of how disconnected he is with public issues.

    Reply
  • Report this comment

    We’re dreadful eejits. We voted out Fianna Fail for getting arrogant and out of touch after a 12 year term in office and voted in a coalition who are arrogant and out of touch after 12 weeks. Invisible Gilmore and Sarkozy’s pet lapdog Kenny are as bad as Biffo and Co. ever were!

    Reply

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