asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total cost incurred by Córas Iompair Éireann for the proposed bus station at Store Street, the amount received for the sale of the station to the Department of Social Welfare, whether he has ordered the board of Córas Iompair Éireann to buy this building again; and, if so, at what price and how he proposes to provide the money for this purpose.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Store Street Bus Station.
I am informed by Córas Iompair Éireann that the total cost incurred on the Store Street premises up to the date of its sale to the Department of Social Welfare was £388,104. The full amount will be paid to the board by the Department of Social Welfare. It has been decided that the central bus station will be located in this building and this decision has been communicated to Córas Iompair Éireann. It is intended that the company should lease from the Department of Social Welfare such portions of the building as will be required for the operation of the bus station. The rent, which will be paid from the funds generally at the disposal of the company, has not yet been determined.
Will the Minister say whether the decision to put this bus station, this white elephant, back at Store Street is a Government decision? Will he also say whether it was done for the purpose of pacifying Deputy Peadar Cowan and satisfying the traders in the area?
It was done primarily for the purpose of satisfying the people of the country who had been waiting for many years for a bus station.