Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Properties.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

232 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the financial details regarding the lease of a building at Fingal Bay Business Park, Balbriggan, for the Passport Office; the name of the landlord; the reasons this location was preferred; if any greenfield site in south Louth was considered as the original locations designated for consideration were to include south Louth as well as north County Dublin; if no greenfield site in County Louth was considered, the reason therefor; if it is an unusual condition of this lease entered into by his Department to have an agreement for lease signed and agreed during the construction of the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11539/03]

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

The Commissioners of Public Works are currently in negotiation for the acquisition of new premises in Balbriggan for the Department of Foreign Affairs, for the centralised production and issue of passports. As these negotiations have yet to be completed, it is not appropriate at this stage to disclose any of the financial or other details relating to the proposed agreement. The Balbriggan development is considered the most suitable by the Department of Foreign Affairs and also, importantly, is regarded as best value for money of the proposals examined.

During their search for a property, the Commissioners were offered one green field site in Drogheda. However, it was not considered that this particular location met the requirements for the new Passport Office.

An agreement for lease, such as the one proposed here, is used by the Commissioners to express conditional interest in leasing a premises, the construction of which has not been completed. The agreement for lease binds the State to lease only if and when a fully satisfactory premises has been supplied in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement.