asked the Minister for Finance whether it is proposed to proceed with the John F. Kennedy memorial; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - John F. Kennedy Memorial.
3.
A decision on this project must await a revised estimate of cost, which will be prepared when the working drawings and bills of quantities have been completed. These will not be ready for some months yet.
Does that mean that no decision has been taken to proceed with the project?
No final decision.
Does the Taoiseach, acting as Minister for Finance, believe there should be an early meeting of this committee to review the situation? Have there been recent meetings?
I cannot say how long it has been since the last meeting. On the last occasion, or at a recent meeting at any event, they were considering alternative sites. I do not know whether that consideration has been finished. I will make inquiries about the desirability of an early meeting.
As far as my Party are concerned we should like the whole matter related to the present financial situation.
And the need for housing.
And the availability of capital.
There is a difficulty in that respect to the extent of what kind of priority should be given to this in the light of capital generally.
That is why I put down the question. Can I take it that before any decision is taken the committee will be consulted?
There is no question of taking a decision otherwise.
The work being done now is ordinary work?
By the Board of Works architects. The senior architect of the Board of Works resigned and he is being retained specifically for the planning of this project.
Perhaps the Taoiseach would consider consulting with the various members of the committee and arranging to have a meeting in the near future?
I should prefer to await the attention of the Minister for Finance himself because he is familiar with it.
Incidentally, has the Taoiseach any idea when the Minister will return to duty?
I am afraid I should not like to give a prognosis on a matter of that kind.
Surely, then, the Taoiseach should not wait any longer. Is money being spent though a decision has not been given?
I take it the House does not object to the kind of planning going on to which I have referred. It will take some months. I do not think there will be any further money expended.
Apart from planning, the model and the trips necessary to inspect concert halls elsewhere, is it not so that no public expense has been involved other than administration expense?
There was the matter of the acquisition of property which would be necessary anyway.
Question No. 4 postponed.