Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 2002

Vol. 558 No. 4

Written Answers. - Tribunals of Inquiry

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

202 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance his views on the accommodation described in the interim report of Justice Robert Barr for the Abbeylara tribunal dated 21 November 2002; the reason for the delay in availability of the proposed premises as described therein; when the Abbeylara tribunal will be provided with adequate accommodation to proceed with its activities; the reasons, in view of the delay to the tribunal's work that the accommodation situation is causing, the Office of Public Works has not offered other suitable accommodation to the tribunal staff, temporary or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24585/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Parlon)

Following the assessment of a number of options, a building which is owned by the Bar Council and which was undergoing extensive refurbishment by the owners at the time was deemed the most suitable by the tribunal for its purposes. It is expected that the works will be completed early in the new year. In the meantime, the commissioners have been progressing negotiations for the lease of the building, and subject to the agreement of the landlord, these negotiations should be completed by the time the works are finished.

The commissioners have provided suitable temporary accommodation to enable the tribunal to proceed with its preliminary work.