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Seanad Éireann debate -
Friday, 17 Oct 1924

Vol. 3 No. 18

THE MUSEUM BUILDINGS.

AN CATHAOIRLEACH

Before the Seanad adjourns, perhaps Senators would be interested to know that I received, after the Adjournment some weeks ago, the report of Sir Edward Lutyens as regards the existing arrangements for protection against fire in connection with the Museum and the adjacent buildings. He sent that report to me direct, and on receipt of it, as the Seanad had discontinued its sittings, I wrote to him acknowledging it and thanking him on behalf of the Seanad for his courtesy in the matter. I have had this report typed, and copies of it are in the office of the Assistant Clerk, to be obtained by any Senator who feels an interest in the matter. I may say, that while Sir Edward suggests certain things to be done, his report is not at all of an alarmist character, and any Senator who is anxious or interested in the matter can obtain a copy of it by applying at the office of the Assistant Clerk.

The only other matter I wish to mention is, that perhaps some Senators may be rather surprised to find that they are still located here. The explanation is: immediately after the Recess began I took up the matter and went into it with the President. He naturally referred me to the Board of Works. I found that the hands of the Board of Works were tied, because they could not do anything to the Chamber and the adjoining rooms that are being allocated to us until they were first vacated by the Royal Dublin Society. The Royal Dublin Society were engaged, during all the period covered by the Recess, in negotiations with the Government with the view to getting alternative accommodation, and while these negotiations were going on they retained their occupation of all these premises. The result is that until about a week ago that particular chamber had not been vacated. In that state of affairs I consulted with Senator Douglas, and our idea is that it is quite plain that the necessary changes and alterations which we will require to have these rooms adequate for the accommodation of the Seanad will take some weeks. Consequently we could not hope to have the use of them to the full extent when we meet again. It was suggested that we might see if the Board of Works could so temporarily equip them as to enable us to have at least the use of the large room as a meeting-place until the Christmas Recess, and that during the Christmas Recess all the necessary extra constructive work might then be carried out.

It is a question really as between remaining on here as we are until Christmas, or utilising the incomplete accommodation that is to be provided in Leinster House. My own impression, after carefully going into the whole matter is, that it would really be wiser for us to stay on here as we are and not have a half-finished job. Then the Board of Works could take the matter in hands at once and complete the entire thing before we meet again in January. If that is the wish of the Seanad, I shall so communicate it to the Board of Works. I may mention that I arranged to meet the architect of the Board of Works on Monday next, at 3 o'clock, at our new habitation, and I should be very glad if any Senators who find it convenient to do so would come there on Monday next at 3 o'clock, because the object of meeting the architect is to suggest to him and to give him an outline of the alterations and changes that we propose to have effected. I do not want that to be left entirely on the shoulders of the Vice-Chairman and myself, because we might have to bear the brunt of it later on.

Will the report received from Sir Edward Lutyens call for a resolution of the Seanad?

AN CATHAOIRLEACH

I do not think so. As I have said, Senators will get a copy of it on application to the assistant-Clerk, and if on consideration anything occurs to Senators it can be brought up later.

The matter was debated very fully during the last Session, but I thought Sir Edward might have made some suggestions which might require a resolution.

AN CATHAOIRLEACH

He made suggestions, but I doubt if much would be gained by passing a resolution asking to have the suggestions carried out. If they are good in the opinion of the Board of Works officers, they will carry them out. If they are not, I suppose they will not have anything to do with them.

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