asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether the Bord Fáilte offices in London have changed from their former address; if he will give the reasons for the change, and state the new address; and, if the offices are not occupied or are situated at a new address, where the Board's work is being done at the moment, and since when.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord Fáilte Offices in London.
18.
The Bord Fáilte offices in London have been changed from their former address to 150-151 New Bond Street, London.
These offices will be shared with Córas Tráchtála Telifís Éireann, Gaeltarra Éireann and other Irish interests. The grouping together of Irish interests in one building will be of mutual benefit and will have still greater impact than the separate premises previously used.
Although the building has not yet been completed, Bord Fáilte have been using an upper floor of the premises for about the past six weeks. The Bord Fáilte public offices will be located in the ground floor when the building has been completed.
Would the Minister state the reason for the change from Regent Street to New Oxford Street.
It was felt that the premises would be more suitable and that they would combine the interests of all the bodies I have mentioned.
Is it not a fact that through utter carelessness on the part of Bord Fáilte, the lease in Regent Street fell in?
I have no such information.
Could the Minister say why it was necessary for Bord Fáilte to leave the Regent Street premises and occupy temporary premises at Cambodia Street for some months?
There must have been some delay in the preparation of the accommodation required at Bond Street. These things do happen.
If the Minister will make further inquiries, he will know that Bord Fáilte were warned some 18 months in advance that this lease was falling in and they made no application whatsoever to do anything about it.
Surely the Minister for Transport and Power, who has nothing on earth to do, must know why Bord Fáilte was located in Cambodia Street for some months before eventually alighting in New Bond Street? Somebody must have bothered to mention to the Minister for Transport and Power that one of his proteges had taken flight to Cambodia Street.
The name of the street is wrong. It happens to be Carnaby Street.
Cambodia or Carnaby, somebody must have told the Minister, or did he bother to inquire?
I am keeping regularly in touch with Bord Fáilte.
The Minister must know.
They had to wait until these offices were prepared.
Will the Minister make inquiries about this question of the lease and I will repeat the question?
I will find out whether there is anything that can usefully be answered in this House in regard to that.
Is the Minister questioning the right of a Deputy to ask Parliamentary Questions about matters affecting his Department?
It is a question of whether it is a matter of day to day administration, in which I do not interfere and do not propose to interfere, unless I see evidence of negligence.
Carelessness on the part of the Board is not a matter that can be clouded by saying it is a question of day to day administration.
We discuss all matters of importance.