asked the Minister for Finance if he will give particulars of the dimensions of the geological survey building which it is proposed to erect at Begger's Bush Barracks, Dublin; the approximate cost; and the starting date of building.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Geological Survey Building.
7.
Mr. Kenny
Proposals for the erection of a new building for the Geological Survey Office at Beggar's Bush have been placed before the planning authority. Discussions with the authority are still proceeding and I think it would be premature at this stage to give any precise dimensions or other particulars. I would hope to be able to give the information sought in the next three months or so.
First of all, the position is that they do not need planning permission anyway. However, the point I want to ask the Parliamentary Secretary is——
The Central Bank got it all the same. The Central Bank applied for it all the same.
The Office of Public Works do not usually have to get permission. They go through a form of——
A question, Deputy Moore, please.
I want to ask the Parliamentary Secretary is there any overall plan for the site at Beggar's Bush, now that it has been decided not to build the Kennedy Memorial Hall there?
Mr. Kenny
I will give the Deputy whatever information I have here in regard to his question. The Geological Survey Office is at present housed in State-owned premises at No. 4, Kildare Street, No. 14, Hume Street, in rented premises in Bishop Street and in storage space in Glencree. The accommodation is out-of-date and inadequate. The building now proposed would provide for all present accommodation requirements of the Geological Survey Office in one location and allow some space for future expansion. The expansion space would be used temporarily to provide much needed accommodation for other Government staff. A formal application under section 84 of the Local Government Planning and Development Act, 1963, was made on 21st January, 1975, and discussions are proceeding. It is quite possible that changes in the scheme will be made to comply with requirements of the planning authority. Therefore, it would be undersirable to state any precise dimensions or give estimates of costs which can be only very approximate at this stage. That is the only information I have at my disposal.
Can I accept it that there is no overall plan for this site, for the barracks itself? Would the Parliamentary Secretary send me a site plan of where the office is going?
Mr. Kenny
It says here that at this premature stage it would not be possible to do that.