asked the Minister for Finance the present position on the question of provision of suitable accommodation for the members of the Oireachtas in Leinster House.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leinster House Accommodation.
22.
As I indicated in a previous reply to a question by the Deputy I am having the position examined to see what action can be taken which would result in additional space becoming available.
A solution to the problem lies in the provision of alternative accommodation for some of the services housed in adjoining buildings, but that is a difficult and complicated matter and the examination of it is not yet completed.
This issue is unique in Irish public life in that there is all-party agreement that conditions for Deputies in all parties is quite scandalous. Accommodation is grossly inadequate and it is very difficult to work efficiently. Would the Minister say if he feels the problem can be solved within Parliament as it is at present or should the House reconsider the whole issue as it was considered about 20 years ago and envisage an alternative site for Parliament? Has this place out-lasted its usefulness? Can the problem be solved within the precincts of this building.
I believe that the alternatives within this complex of the adjoining buildings——
We are already in Setanta.
I am giving my view and I have given the matter very serious consideration. I am fully aware of the many inconveniences Deputies suffer because of lack of suitable accommodation but we are talking about a long term solution. For instance, one part of the building, the College of Science, will be moving to Belfield but that will take about five years. No matter how you look at it there is a very big problem.
Has the Minister ruled out the possibility of a change in the location of Parliament? I agree with Deputy Browne that it appears that all problems cannot be solved within the confines of this building. If that is, as it appears to be, the case—and any examination of the matter suggests this because we are already using other buildings around here—surely consideration should be given to a change in the actual location of Parliament, perhaps further from the centre of the city where parking and other problems would be less acute.
Building land is not readily available in Dublin, as the Deputy knows as well as I do. I am asking the officials of my Department to try to come up with some solution but I may say now that I am sure it will be a very long-term one.
Does the Minister rule out a change in the location of Parliament or is that being actively considered?
I rule out nothing. I would consider all possibilities.
It is most unlikely that I shall be in the next Parliament in five years' time but meanwhile could the Minister say whether I, as an independent registered party, will not get alternative accommodation for at least five years?
I am sure the Deputy appreciates my problem. I cannot guarantee anything but if at any time we can improve the Deputy's or any other Deputy's facilities I shall be only too delighted to help.
Is there any necessity for the Seanad to be in the same building complex? Could not a separate location for the Seanad be considered?
This did not arise overnight; the problem has been there for the last five years.
This accommodation problem is acute.
Is the Minister aware that we were to get the College of Science building five years ago? They said then it would take five years. Now apparently it will take another five years. In that context would the Minister consider taking over the College of Art building? I understand they are quite willing. They would be only too delighted to go to the former Powers distillery, a building to which they have asked to go. We could take over the College of Art quite easily within 12 months. The College of Science is the greatest joke on earth; we have been talking about it for the past six years and nothing has happened. UCD do not want to give it up and the Minister knows that.
I am prepared to consider any suggestion and anything said here today by Deputies in the way of recommendation or suggestion will be examined.
Would the Minister then have some discussions with the College of Art authorities? They have no space where they are and would be quite willing to leave and get a far bigger and better building in the former Powers distillery. This would cost the State some money but we would then have that side of the building.
But we are talking about a long-term solution even——
I am talking about 12 months.
We should probably have a higher number of Deputies elected to this House in the next election arising from the census and I hope that Deputy Dr. Browne will be a Member of that Parliament also but since the short-term problem is the real difficulty would the Minister consider also the suggestion of changing the location of the Seanad? That is a short-term solution. The Seanad could have separate premises. There is nothing in the Constitution against that and I think no great inconvenience would be caused by it. It is a possibility.
Everything will be considered.
We are going on asking questions that could really only be answered as a result of consultation. This is obvious to every Deputy. We are having a discussion rather than Question Time.
This problem is felt by all parties.
I know that. Perhaps I am more aware of it than anybody but I think we should move on to the next question.
We are really concerned about a short-term solution, not a solution for five years hence. Is the Minister of State aware that recently certain changes have been made and extra accommodation has been provided within this House for certain Deputies while others are left to stagnate as they have been doing for the past eight years? Has this escaped the notice of the Minister? As the head of the House, apart altogether from presiding here, will the Ceann Comhairle take into account that Deputy Browne, Deputy Sheridan and I are not consulted, that we have no method of being consulted, and that we have no forum at which we may present our point of view? This is aggravating the situation very much. Rearrangements have been made in the House to the betterment of some Deputies, which I do not deny to them, but if it is to be at the expense of three Deputies it has gone on long enough.
I have noted the views expressed by the Deputy in this House last week and I am having this matter examined.
The three Deputies are not represented on any committee and could they be consulted and have a say in the matter?
The Deputy expressed a view on this matter in the House last week. I have noted it and I am having the matter examined.
That was a different matter from the accommodation problem.
All parties feel this accommodation problem most acutely, not only three Deputies.
Would the Minister come downstairs and see where we are housed at the moment and then go upstairs and see where other Deputies are housed. Single people are occupying beautiful rooms which are scarcely ever used.