May I, on the adjournment, speak to a matter of some public interest, especially to the South of Ireland?
HOUSING OF THE OIREACHTAS.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
What is the nature of it?
It is with regard to the work of the Committee investigating sites in this neighbourhood for housing the Oireachtas.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
To what particular point do you wish to draw attention?
I want to make a suggestion to that Committee.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
To what effect?
To this effect— that some of us in the South of Ireland are under the impression that it is almost impossible for the Committee to arrive at a satisfactory agreement with regard to sites in the metropolis. Many of us thought, and I think that the majority of the people throughout the country also thought that the Old House in College Green would ultimately be selected for that purpose, but I fear it is not likely to be.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
We cannot go into the merits of the question, but tell me the point of your suggestion.
The point of my suggestion is there is an old saying "Limerick was, Dublin is, and Cork will be," and I was going to suggest that the City by the Banks of the Lee be selected as the Old House in College Green is apparently not to be utilised.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
You see that in order to give permission, as our Standing Order is framed at present, I should have to determine that the matter was one of urgency as well as of public importance. Inasmuch as there is a Committee sitting to deal with the question of the temporary accommodation of the Oireachtas and they have not yet approached the question of permanent accommodation, I cannot, I am afraid, rule this matter as urgent though it is one of public importance, but you will have an opportunity in the future when the various reports come up of raising the important question about the fair city in the South of Ireland.
Before they fix on a permanent site perhaps they would bear Cork very favourably in mind?