asked the Taoiseach when the Government expect to obtain vacant possession of the UCD premises (the School of Engineering) in Government Buildings, Merrion Street, Dublin; if such premises will be made available to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - UCD Premises.
1.
My Department are working closely with the Higher Education Authority and the university authorities on the gradual evacuation of the accommodation occupied by the School of Engineering in the Merrion Street premises and present indications are that vacant possession of about 2000m² will be secured between now and October next. The date when the balance of the accommodation will become available is not yet established.
The Office of Public Works are at present examining how the accommodation could best be used to alleviate the accommodation problems of the Oireachtas.
Does the Taoiseach have in the information supplied to him the area of the balance of the accommodation which will become available after October?
I have that but perhaps it would be better to send it to the Deputy because it is a bit confused.
At this stage is it appropriate that the Committee on Procedure and Privileges be consulted regarding the utilisation of the premises?
It might be a bit premature but it should be done in plenty of time. We will ensure that the committee are consulted well in advance of any specific action.
Will the accommodation be made available to the Dáil? I was somewhat disturbed when Taoiseach to discover that there were plans to allocate part of it in such a way that the full accommodation would not be available to the Dáil as a result of a shift in the Taoiseach's office. I took the view that that should not happen and that all the space should be made available to the Dáil. Will the Taoiseach assure us that that is his intention?
There are a number of alternatives being considered but the whole idea is that the Oireachtas should benefit from whatever arrangements are made.
The plans which I saw and which were put to me for approval—I did not approve them—involved allocation of space for the office of the Taoiseach at a point in the building which not only took up space but prevented space further down the corridor being available to the Dáil. The net effect was to increase the amount of the accommodation of the Department of the Taoiseach but not to give extra space to the Dáil. I am concerned about that.
I could assure the Deputy that there will be no attempt to improve the position of the Taoiseach at the expense of any other Members of the Oireachtas. Perhaps, as Deputy Quinn has suggested, these matters are best dealt with by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.