Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Custom House, Dublin.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

5 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if, having regard to the fact that the restoration of the Custom House, Dublin 1 is nearly completed, he has reconsidered the proposal to transfer the National Museum to the Custom House, thereby consolidating the area as a major cultural and tourist centre in the city while at the same time providing essential additional space to the Houses of the Oireachtas within the immediate environs of Leinster House; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Taoiseach

I have already dealt with the substance of this question on 21 June and 13 December 1988. I would like to reiterate my belief, for the reasons then set out at length by me, that the Deputy's proposal does not commend itself on architectural or cost grounds.

The premises of the National Museum at Kildare Street, which were expressly and splendidly designed for museum purposes, and at Merrion Street have been refurbished considerably over the past three years at a total cost in excess of £2 million and further structural improvements, costing an estimated £850,000 in 1990, are in hands. In addition, planning is proceeding for a museum to house the Decorative Arts collection at the Custom House Docks.

As regards additional accommodation for the Houses of the Oireachtas, the former UCD engineering building at the rear of the College of Science, with a total floor area of 10,921 square feet, will be available for use as Deputies' offices before the end of this year.

Mr. Quinn

I want to ask a number of questions arising out of this. First, in relation to the last point concerning the former engineering school, could the Taoiseach arrange to make available either to the Whips or to the Joint Services Committee details of the amount of floor space that will become available so that effective and constructive use can be made of that very welcome additional space? Second, in relation to the magnificent restoration carried out on the Custom House — which cost a great deal of taxpayers' money — of which the entire nation can be proud, particularly the people of Dublin, is it the Government's intention that it remains closed to the public and continues to be used as public offices of a substandard kind internally?

The Taoiseach

That is a different question. The Deputy talked about transferring the museum to the Custom House. Whatever about using it for some other purpose eventually, I do not think it would be appropriate to transfer the museum. I agree with the Deputy's remarks about the splendid job that has been carried out on the cleaning and redecoration of the facade of the Custom House.

On the question of the accommodation available in the former UCD engineering building, we will be providing reasonably good accommodation for approximately 40 Deputies which, I think, will finally take the pressure off the accommodation problems here. I will be glad to arrange to have the plans shown to the Deputy.

Dr. G. FitzGerald

May I ask the Taoiseach if the available accommodation is being provided for the use of Members of Dáil Éireann or whether some of it will be taken for other Civil Service purposes?

The Taoiseach

The engineering block will be entirely for Deputies' use.

Dr. G. FitzGerald

Good.

The Taoiseach

Thank you for your approval Deputy. This was at my own personal direction.

Dr. G. FitzGerald

We are at one at least on this issue.

The Taoiseach

As the Deputy himself knows full well, when additional space becomes available one has to fight off a number of claimants.

Mr. Currie

Are you responsible for all this agreement?

Mr. Nealon

Arising out of the Taoiseach's initial reply on the fact that all of the decorative arts exhibition will be moved to the new cultural centre at the Custom House Docks area, could he also confirm that all or part of the Folk Collection will be exhibited there?

The Taoiseach

That is the intention.

Mr. Quinn

I have a final supplementary question on the Custom House. Are the Government aware of the fact that the office accommodation in the Custom House is substandard in terms of our labour legislation and that in order to bring it up to standard an enormous amount of money would have to be spent on work which would distort the inside of the building? In consultation with the Minister for Finance, would the Taoiseach reconsider alternative uses for the building now that the exterior has been so splendidly restored?

The Taoiseach

It is worth considering.