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Seanad Éireann debate -
Friday, 3 Apr 1987

Vol. 115 No. 15

Business of Seanad.

I have notice from Senator Charlie McDonald that, on the motion for the Adjournment of the House to-day, he proposes to raise the following matter:

The impending dismissal of 130 young agricultural science graduates without notice by the Department of Finance and the Land Tax Office, despite these officers having contracts of employment.

I regard the matter as suitable for discussion on the Adjournment and it will be taken at the conclusion of business.

I circulated to each Senator a copy of the letter I received from Mr Scully, Commissioner of Public Works, in relation to the work being carried out in the Seanad Chamber.

I am putting this letter on the record of the House by reading it now.

Senator P. Reynolds,

OIFIG NA nOIBREACHA POIBLÍ,

Cathaoirleach an tSeanad,

(Office of Public Works)

Tithe an Oireachtais,

BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 2.

Baile Átha Cliath 2.

(Dublin 2).

Dear Cathaoirleach,

We have, as you are aware, specially engaged an expert firm of consultants to advise as to how we should proceed in regard to the works that are required in the Senate Chamber.

It will be some time before we have received the full report of the consultants but, even on the basis of a preliminary examination by them, our worst fears have been confirmed. This is not merely the elimination of dry rot. There are serious structural problems which have been inherent in the building for many decades and which have only now come to light as a result of the stripping of the plaster.

Clearly, our initial hopes that the remedial work would be completed by October, 1987 will not now be realised. I can give no indication at this stage as to when the work will be completed but it would seem advisable to expect that it will take a long time. I hope to be in a position to indicate to you just how long when I have received a further report from the consultants.

Yours sincerely,

B.P. SCULLY,

Commissioner.

Arising from that very important letter, I feel that as outgoing Senators we should make preparations for the first sitting day of the incoming Seanad. It will be an auspicious occasion for those who are re-elected and for the many new Members who will be elected. The facilities available in this House are not adequate for such an occasion and I want to make a formal suggestion by way of motion, or whatever, in the knowledge that I will not be present on that great day. Because it is such a great day for the House, we should request the Dáil to facilitate the Seanad by making the Dáil Chamber available to the Seanad. There are not enough seats in this room. The first sitting day of a new Seanad is always an occasion for Members' spouses and families. There are only two seats here for visitors. I suggest to you, a Chathaoirligh, that the outgoing Seanad should agree unanimously to ask the Dáil, through the Ceann Comhairle, to facilitate us on a day suitable to both the Dáil and the Seanad so that the normal practices on such an occasion may be carried out. The new Seanad will appreciate that as a final gesture from those of us who are leaving.

I formally suggest to you, as Cathaoirleach of this Seanad, that you should make the necessary arrangements with the Dáil staff and with the Ceann Comhairle to have the Dáil Chamber made available to the Seanad on a suitable day, either a Monday or a Friday. It is a very special occasion in the eyes of many people.

I have already discussed this matter with the Ceann Comhairle. I have asked him to accommodate the Seanad on the opening day of the new Seanad and I am hopeful that the arrangement will work out satisfactorily.

Thank you.

It was interesting to hear that the worst fears of the Office of Public Works were realised. That was not my initial reaction when I read the letter. It was that our worst fears were realised. We vacated the premises for how long? More than twelve months? Coming up to nearly two years? At this stage, for them to be still assessing the amount of damage, assessing the size of the problem is quite unacceptable. They are treating this House with total and absolute contempt. It is fashionable to treat the House with contempt, I may say. As public servants, it is uniquely inopportune for them to do that. I would like to take this opportunity to protest on behalf of past Members of the Seanad for the way in which the Members of the Seanad are being treated by those in authority, including the Office of Public Works. This is a most unsuitable Chamber. There are tremendous difficulties with regard to it and judging by the way in which the work has been allowed to go over a period we shall be shortly into the third year before any work is done.

The way in which we are being treated is disgraceful and I would not like the opportunity to pass without putting that on the record of the House. The letter which we have received is a cynical attempt to put on the record of this Seanad something which can be quoted as in some way receiving the approval of this Seanad, so that they can say later they reported it to this Seanad. As far as I am concerned, they reported it and their report was rejected. Their explanation is quite inexcusable and unrealistic. The incoming Seanad should be left in no doubt that the OPW have treated us and are continuing to treat us in a disgraceful fashion.

I think every Member of the Seanad will agree with that statement but I cannot see what can be done about it.

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