asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the plans in hand for the provision of suitable office accommodation and storage facilities for the telecommunications section of his Department in Portlaoise, County Laois.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Portlaoise Telecommunications Offices.
48.
Plans for the acquisition of a suitable site and the erection of new offices and storage facilities for Telecommunications purposes at Portlaoise are at present under consideration in my Department.
Is the Minister aware that, arising from the mix-up last week in relation to premises in Portlaoise, the staffs in the engineering section, who are badly in need of rehousing and new office facilities, were satisfied at that stage that their problems were being resolved? In view of the false hopes which were raised for them would the Minister's Department now exert themselves a little more industriously in providing storage and office facilities for them in Portlaoise?
Subject to architectural advice, my Department are now proceeding with plans for the acquisition and development of a suitable site.
The Minister has said they are proceeding with plans for the acquisition of a site. I want to ask the Minister if it is proposed to acquire this site from Laois County Council who are most willing and anxious to facilitate the Department in this regard.
In the light of the present state of development in this matter it would not be appropriate, as I think the Deputy will appreciate, for me to make a further statement on the matter, but I assure him that I have the matter under close consideration and will be prepared to answer questions on it at a later stage when things are a little more advanced.