andMr. Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the proposals he has in respect of urgent improvements in the inefficient, wasteful and positively unhealthy heating system in Leinster House; if he is aware of the discontent on the part of members of the Oireachtas generally and members of the staff, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leinster House Heating System.
21.
There are no immediate plans for major alterations to the heating system in Leinster House. Performance of the system is kept under constant review to provide a satisfactory level of temperature and humidity to suit most people. When there are sudden changes in the outside temperature there is inevitably a time lag before the system responds to the changed conditions. If Deputies indicate any specific areas of complaint they will be investigated.
Does the Minister accept that people's working conditions affect the calibre and quality of their work?
It is very hard to find an even temperature.
I did not ask that. I asked: do working conditions influence the calibre of one's work?
We have not received that many complaints about it.
Since I came into this House I have been complaining about it, and everybody else who has spoken has been complaining about it, but nobody has done anything about it. Might I further ask the Minister is he aware of the degree of discontent. If he says he is not, I can only conclude that he has not been in the House since the last election at least. I believe it is merely another case of putting it on the long finger.
I can assure the Deputy that I have made a tour of the House during the time he mentioned. The Deputy should bear in mind that we have a lot of clerical staff here sitting at typewriters, desks and so on who complain about the place being cold. However, during the Summer Recess I hope to install a thermostatic system to give us some idea of the heating in the House.
Will that innovation bring about an improvement?
I have no doubt but that it will be a help in the matter.
Presumably, then, the Minister accepts that there is a problem or otherwise he would not be doing anything about it?
I do not accept that there is a problem to the extent the Deputy is maintaining.
We will not engender too much heat.
That is the problem: some days heat is engendered. I do not understand why. It might seem a laughing matter but for people who are here fairly regularly it is very unsatisfactory, for staff and everybody else in the House. Perhaps the Minister's office is airconditioned but mine is not.
The Deputy may be speaking on his own behalf. I would suggest that he consult also with the ladies in his own typing pool.
I have done that.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Surely it should not be necessary to await reports or complaints? Is not the oppressive and unsatisfactory state of the heating in this House for years perfectly obvious to everybody? Most times it is oppressive, so oppressive that one is jaded and——
I hope to rectify the matter some way during the Summer Recess by the fitting of thermostatic radiators.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Might I suggest to the Minister that he employ the best consultants available, get them to investigate the matter and take steps to remedy it?
I have every confidence in the servants of my own Department.
(Interruptions.)
(Cavan-Monaghan): If the Minister is relying on the people who installed it, whoever they were, I would advise him to depart from them and get somebody else.
Arising out of the Minister's suggestion that this is solely a personal complaint of Deputy Keating——
I did not say that.
——would the Minister consider checking around, even on his own side of the House, when, I would suggest, he would find complaints from everybody in the House.
Unanimity on it.
It is under constant review.