Deputies will remember that in accordance with the resolution of the Dáil passed on Friday, June 27th, a Committee on accommodation, was asked to consider the question of temporary accommodation and to report to the Dáil, by last Friday. Unfortunately, notice of the report was omitted from the Order Paper on last Friday; it is on the Order Paper to-day. The Committee had one meeting. The Seanad met in the morning and the Dáil in the afternoon of that week, so it would be very difficult to transact any business in the Committee, and the Committee unanimously decided that it was impossible for them to bring in a Report by Friday, August 3rd, and the Report is, accordingly, presented now.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE. - REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON ACCOMMODATION FOR THE OIREACHTAS.
I think I should mention to the Dáil that my attention has been drawn to the fact that one Dublin morning newspaper credited me with the statement that I believed there was a strong case throughout the whole country for getting the Bank of Ireland premises. I would like to say it was certainly never my intention to make that statement. I have not had an opportunity of looking up what I did say, but I am sure I never said that, and if I misled that Journal I would like now to correct the impression. What I meant to convey was, that there was a certain rather strong case for the Bank by some people, and if I did not add, at that time, that it did not impress me, I would like to add it now. My contention was that we should have premises provided at the least possible cost, of the most commodious kind, and with the least possible delay, and the Bank of Ireland, I think, does not lend itself to either one or other of these conditions.
I presume the whole of this matter will be left over until after the Elections. I think we should get some kind of statement on the matter that nothing will be done, and the situation should be left exactly as it is until after the Elections, when there will be a larger and more representative House freshly coming with a mandate from the country to deal with this very important question.
The Deputy, in making that suggestion, is spurring a very willing horse. No Deputy or member, I imagine, would be free to attend to this matter during the elections. We will all watch eagerly the fight the Deputy will make in his own constituency.
Will Deputy Figgis give us an undertaking to be present when this matter comes up again?
Yes, with the same amount of assurance as Deputy O'Brien can give.