asked the Minister for Transport and Power if arrangements have yet been made for the provision of water and sewerage facilities for the staff in the meteorological office, Mullingar, as promised in a reply of two years ago.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mullingar Meteorological Office.
6.
The circumstances in which a new building for the Mullingar Meteorological Station was to be provided were set out in the reply to the Deputy's previous question on 5th November, 1964. Plans for a new building to replace the existing one, and including a water supply and sanitary facilities, were drawn up by the Office of Public Works in March, 1965.
The plans and specification for the building were not wholly acceptable from the meteorological point of view as the siting of the building would mean that adequate space would not be left available for the proper operation of the outdoor instrument enclosure.
In addition doubts subsequently arose as to the suitability of the site generally from the technical point of view. A full investigation of the problems involved may take some further considerable time.
Normally only one officer is on duty at any one time at this station. A chemical toilet and facilities for washing are provided.
Surely the Minister will agree that, having had an application before the Department for a long number of years and having given a decision in this House two years ago that the facilities were to be provided, it is a bit ludicrous to state now that an entirely new building is to be provided and that, because of the change in plans, it will be some time before the matter can be proceeded with? Does the Minister not agree that, in addition to the one person he says is in the building at any particular time, there are four or five temporary people who spend quite a lot of time in the building, and that there are also two houses beside the building? Would he not give a more satisfactory reply than he has given?
I am afraid it is quite impossible. The new estimates of the meteorological requirements make it doubtful whether the buildings should be placed there at all. In the meantime, an investigation is proceeding.