Dick Spring
Question:3 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach when he proposes to open the refurbished Department of the Taoiseach to the general public; the frequency of opening; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Access to Government Buildings.
I am carefully considering the question of giving the public greater access to Government Buildings but the Deputy will appreciate that I have to have a high regard for security consideration in deciding this matter.
I can assure the Taoiseach that I am well aware of the security implications in relation to access to Government buildings but this is probably the only public building on which large sums of money have been expended in recent years that is not accessible to the public. A great deal of interest has focused on this building. The population of Dublin can see it from all sorts of distances at night time. Will the Taoiseach bring his consideration to an early conclusion? The public should have access to that building at some stage.
Yes, I have been thinking a lot about that. I have been inundated with expressions of interest in seeing the building. It is gratifying that there is such public interest in it. That is something we must take note of and see if we can meet it. As the Deputy knows, security precautions are paramount in anything to do with public buildings. I am thinking of discussing whether limited access of some kind can be provided.
Of course, security is a consideration, but would the Taoiseach agree that the problem of security has been overcome in Dublin Castle, where there are great leaders of the world and members of the European Parliament visiting on a regular basis? Would he agree that the public are curious and interested to see how £17.5 million was spent within the walls of an existing building? It would be important that the Taoiseach should satisfy that curiosity by allowing guided tours about the complex.
I think the Deputy completely misinterprets the public interest. The public interest in this building is one of pride at an achievement by Irish craftsmen, artists and the construction industry generally.