Vol. 558 No. 2
126 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the decision to move the State Laboratories to Backweston, Celbridge, County Kildare, in view of the fact that this will cost ?200 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24048/02]
The demands imposed on modern analytical laboratories rendered inadequate the existing facilities at Abbotstown. These facilities contain insufficient and inadequate space, unsuitable layouts, and extremely basic mechanical and electrical services. Problems also arise in relation to specific building regulations, fire safety codes and health and safety regulations. The buildings do not comply with current recommendations on such matters as bio-safety containment and fire evacuation. Furthermore, they contain no category 3 containment facilities – facilities suitable for work with organisms which may cause severe human disease and which present a serious hazard to laboratory workers.
The need for new laboratory facilities was accepted by the international team of consultants, commissioned by Government, to review the Campus and Stadium Ireland project, in its February 2002 report. The development of such facilities, at Backweston, represents a major commitment by the Government to ensuring compliance with the highest European and international standards required of testing laboratories.
Given the need to replace the existing facilities at Abbotstown, the fact that contracts for the new laboratory facilities were awarded earlier this year and that construction is well under way on site, I will not be reviewing the decision to relocate the Department of Agriculture and Food Laboratories and the State Laboratory from Abbotstown to Backweston.
