asked the Minister for Labour whether any inspections under the Office Premises Act, 1958 have taken place in respect of office accommodation at Leinster House; and, if so, if he will give details.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leinster House Accommodation.
20.
Inter-departmental arrangements are made between my Department and other Departments concerned, to ensure that the provisions of the 1958 Act are complied with in Government offices. Inspections are carried out by my inspectors only in exceptional cases where complaints have been made.
There is no record of any inspections having been carried out in respect of office accommodation at Leinster House by my Department.
In view of the fact that inspections are carried out in response to complaints would the Minister agree that it is surprising, in view of the sustained complaints from many quarters about the general accommodation in Leinster House, that no inspection has been carried out here? Is the Minister aware that many of the legislators and staff at all levels in Leinster House have been and are in breach of the Office Premises Act, 1958 and the ensuing regulations?
The Deputy is making a speech.
I am asking a long question. Is the Minister aware that the extraordinary anomaly exists where the people who are supposed to be making the laws are breaking them in relation to office accommodation? The minimum square footage which employees in this part of the city are entitled to have for office accommodation is not being accorded to them.
No complaints have been made to me or my Department.
I know that there is not an instant solution to the problem but I should like to know if the Minister would be agreeable to creating an initiative whereby people could be encouraged to have offices in or near their homes by giving them something which would recognise the extra expense involved thereby playing down the need for extra accommodation in the House?
That is a separate question.
Is the Minister aware that the bad office accommodation in Leinster House, which would not be tolerated by most trade unionists is, without any question, denigrating and destroying some of the work which public representatives are trying to do? That is the only concern we have and I should like to know what the Minister intends doing about it? Leinster House has not been inspected by Department inspectors.
It appears from what the Deputy has said that he is addressing himself to the wrong Minister.
Would the Minister arrange to have the place inspected?
If the Deputy is making that request I will be glad to have it arranged.