There was a matter left over on Friday—the framing of a reply to the message from the Seanad with regard to the proposed site for the Oireachtas buildings. I do not know whether it is intended that that matter should be taken up now, but the Seanad will hold a meeting to-morrow.
DAIL IN COMMITTEE. - MESSAGE TO THE SEANAD.
I move: That the Seanad be informed in reply to their message relative to the housing of the Oireachtas that no question of final arrangements for the permanent location of the Oireachtas is at present under consideration; that a temporary proposal, which will afford better facilities than are now available at Leinster House, is being tentatively considered, and that when the details of this proposal are completed the scheme will be laid before the Dáil and Seanad for consideration.
Arising out of that would the President not give the Dáil more information as to what the meaning of this message really is. Should we not have some idea as to what is in the minds of those who are negotiating for premises other than these even whether they are to be temporary or not. I hold that neither the Dáil nor the Cabinet ought to proceed to make arrangements for the housing of the Oireachtas without giving the public outside an opportunity of saying where those buildings should be. I know for a fact that a considerable canvass is being made and a Press propaganda has been arranged by certain individuals for a transfer of the Headquarters of the Oireachtas out to Kilmainham. As a result of that canvass, options are being secured on sites or efforts are being made to get options on sites out there. Now I hold that the centre of the city is the proper site—no matter what property is involved in Kilmainham, and notwithstanding canvassing by people having property out there or people who do not want their property touched in the vicinity of what is now known as the Bank of Ireland. No matter what influence they have, it should not be allowed to weigh with the Dáil and there should be no negotiations for other housing quarters without letting the Dáil know. I hope the country if it is made clear at an election will get an opportunity of saying whether the Bank of Ireland should be the Headquarters of the Oireachtas or not. I only mentioned this now because the advantages of Kilmainham are every day being pointed out and the disadvantages of College Green are being emphasised. I sincerely hope the Cabinet will not be swayed by any of the arguments put forward by those individuals who have some personal motive for or some interest in removing the Oireachtas buildings from the centre of the city. I think the Minister ought to tell us what the temporary proposals now being discussed for the housing of the Oireachtas are.
I was going to suggest that before submitting final plans for the temporary housing of the Oireachtas, it would be an advisable course to arrange for an informal visit of such members of the Dáil and Seanad as might desire to see alternative accommodation. I suggest that could be done without adding to or taking from anything of the Message that is proposed to be sent to the Seanad, and that such a proceeding might, with profit, be adopted, so that we would be able to express some general view on the merits or demerits of any particular place which was in mind as an alternative.
As far as we are concerned we wish to give each member of the Dáil and Seanad every possible facility for seeing the place at any time that would be convenient. I could undertake to make the necessary arrangements. The plans, however, are not yet completed, and it might be as well if members allowed the plans to be developed before making an inspection. However, I am perfectly willing, even before the plans are perfected, to allow any members who so desire, to pay a visit. We have some rough sketch plans outlined which members can be afforded an opportunity of seeing. I do not know what Deputy Byrne means. Certainly nobody has canvassed me, and I have canvassed nobody. I have already explained more than once—and the sooner Deputy Byrne and those standing with him realise it the better—that I will not stand for a huge expenditure for a Parliament House if the Parliament can be accommodated at a smaller price. I certainly will not. If the Dáil desires to do so, it is perfectly entitled; but I will not stand for it. I cannot see my way to recommend this Oireachtas to spend a huge sum of money when you can get suitable and cheaper accommodation. This is not a time for indulging in huge expenditure. As far as options are concerned, I heard long ago of people taking options in the centre of the city in the likelihood that a Parliament House was going to go there. As far as the Bank of Ireland is concerned, it would be well to realise your position. You would have to provide another Bank for them, and probably have to build one. I suppose you think that it means merely putting your hand in your pocket to find the money. Then you would have to reconstitute the other place We want this accommodation at once. We have already explained more than once that there is not sufficient accommodation in the Government buildings for the business that we are doing; business is not well done when there is not sufficient accommodation. The Oireachtas will get every opportunity of examining, criticising and changing the plans and doing anything it likes with regard to the matter.
Motion put and agreed to.