Vol. 520 No. 1
141 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the up-to-date costs for the relocation of the State Laboratory and other laboratories under his aegis, from Abbotstown; the cost of relocation of the farm at Abbotstown; if additional land will have to be purchased at Backweston Farm; the position of the Laboratory staff on the move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15107/00]
As regards the estimated costs of the relocation of the laboratories, I refer the Deputy to the reply by the Minister for Finance to Parliamentary Question No. 74 on 23 May 2000.
As regards additional land this aspect is being considered and the cost of relocating the farm has not yet been estimated.
My Department has put in place arrangements, including consultative meetings, to keep staff informed of developments relating to the transfer of laboratories from Abbotstown to Backweston.
142 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason the State Laboratory could not be moved from Abbotstown to facilitate a national science and technology park but can be moved to facilitate a national stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15109/00]
The Government, having considered various options and sites, including Abbotstown, approved in April 1995 the putting in place of a mechanism to investigate the feasibility of establishing a science and technology park at the Citywest Business Park.
The position in relation to Backweston was set out in a press release of the Department of Finance dated 9 February 2000 entitled "Government announce move for Government agencies from Abbotstown to Backweston, Co. Kildare". which stated that "Charlie McCreevy TD Minister for Finance today announced that the Government has decided that the State Laboratory and the laboratories under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development should be relocated from Abbotstown to Backweston Farm".
