asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the present position regarding the construction of a new letter-sorting and despatching office at Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Letter-Sorting Office.
Officers of my Department, in collaboration with a senior official of the architectural staff of the Commissioners of Public Works, have made a most careful study of the problem in all its aspects with a view to determining the building layout and the precise type of mechanisation best calculated to meet postal and customs requirements on the site acquired for the purpose at Lower Sheriff Street. Accommodation details and a tentative layout proposal which have been formally transmitted to the Commissioners of Public Works involve a considerable amount of further detailed prolonged discussion between my officials and the commissioners' architect, after which the commissioners will be in a position to produce a preliminary sketch plan. I can assure the Deputy that I regard the erection of this combined letter and parcel sorting office as a matter of urgency and my Department has stressed withthe Commissioners of Public Works the need for affording it the most expeditious treatment possible at all stages.
Could the Minister indicate when the preliminary sketch plan might be available?
It is difficult to make an accurate forecast. I hope, however, that the speed will be greater than it has sometimes been in the past with regard to important post office buildings.
There is plenty of scope for improvement.