asked the Minister for Finance if he will state why the proposals, approved in the year 1946, for the reconstruction of the dangerous and unsound buildings now occupied as Government offices in Dublin Castle were abandoned, whether any inquiries were made to the Office of Public Works to establish if the reconstruction of the buildings was unnecessary; and, if so, the nature of the commissioners' reply.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Castle Buildings.
On the 12th November, 1948, the then Government decided that the proposals for the reconstruction of Dublin Castle to provide accommodation for Government offices should not be proceeded with pending the giving of further instructions by the Government. The Commissioners of Public Works were consulted at the time as to the structural condition of the buildings which were proposed to be demolished. They reported that none of the buildings could really be described as sound, that they were unsuitable as permanent premises for Government Departments and that maintenance was increasingly wasteful. They also reported that trial excavations had shown that overflows from the old Poddle culvert had underminedthe foundations of the existing buildings in the Lower Castle Yard.
Is my information incorrect, that the Commissioners of Public Works made representations in 1949 that the decision not to proceed with the recommendations by the then Minister for Finance of the Coalition Government was unwise and that the decision was not justified by the facts; and further that the Commissioners of Public Works actually pressed the then Government to permit them to go ahead with the demolition of the dangerous structure?
Is it not a fact that in 1946, the Castle was occupied mainly by a political force of police who, since 1949, have no longer been required?
There is no truth whatever in the Deputy's allegation. If the Deputy is on the side of the lawbreakers, will he leave the police alone?
They did a good job—I can tell you that.
The Minister has given no answer to my question.
The Deputy is correct. The commissioners did make representations in January, 1949, stressing the urgency of proceeding with this reconstruction problem.
Is something going to be done now?
It is a matter to which the Government is giving its attention, but I am afraid we cannot repair overnight the sins of omission committeed by our predecessors.
Might I suggest that if the Board of Works are so hungry for work, they might begin immediately to construct a new and up-to-date sorting and letter office in the City of Dublin?
The unemployed men in whom the Deputy is interested are hungry for work.
You are sending them to Britain.
The Deputy will not get away with that, because in response to the representations made by the Office of Public Works, my Department submitted this matter to my predecessor, who declared that the members of the Government were unanimously and vehemently opposed to the proposals for the reconstruction of Dublin Castle. I suppose that included Deputy Norton.
Will you start with the Dublin slums? Do not mind the fancy plans of the architects in the Board of Works. Get down to Gloucester Street first.
"Unanimously and vehemently opposed".
You look after your white elephants.