asked the Minister for Finance if a policy has been decided upon for the future development of Beggar's Bush Barracks, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beggar's Bush Barracks.
17.
Mr. Kenny
The buildings at Beggar's Bush are, at present, occupied by the Stationery Office, who would have to be rehoused before any overall development would be feasible. While no firm decisions have yet been taken in the matter, the general intention is that the property should be developed for State purposes.
As I mentioned in my reply to a recent question, it is proposed to utilise part of the site which can be developed, without serious disruption of the Stationery Office, to provide a badly needed new building for the Geological Survey Office.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that it is bad planning policy to erect a five-storey office block without planning the entire site? Have the Office of Public Works been caught in the fever that they must build an office block in Ballsbridge? It appears that all the best firms do this. I notice in the planning application that it is stated it is on Shelbourne Road. Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider giving some of the space for housing development?
Mr. Kenny
There is no overall plan for the total development of Beggar's Bush Barracks. It would be necessary to accommodate the Stationery Office which is an immense Department——
Put them in the five-storey office block. The Stationery Office is only a two-storey building at the moment.
Mr. Kenny
We can provide accommodation for the Geological Survey Office on a site in the Beggar's Bush Barracks complex which will not interfere with the overall plan.
They will be calling it Fitzwilton soon.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary give an estimate of the commercial value of the site?
Mr. Kenny
I cannot do that.
It is a separate question. I am calling Question No. 18.