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Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Jul 1987

Vol. 116 No. 20

Repairs to Seanad Chamber: Statement by Cathaoirleach.

Before I call on the Leader of the House today to announce the Order of Business I want to make an announcement to the House for the information of Members regarding the progress report from the Office of Public Works on the Seanad Chamber which was considered by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges this morning. I know Senators will be kept pretty up to date on the current position by Members on the committee. Nevertheless, I feel that, as Cathaoirleach, I should keep Members of this House informed as much as possible on the up to date position as the work progresses. Accordingly I have a statement to make which summarises the rather long and technical report which was laid on my desk and was before the committee this morning.

Regarding the status of the work, tenders were invited on 10 July 1987 from selected contractors for the works necessary to restore the Seanad area of Leinster House to normal use.

A duration of two and a half years is being allowed to restore the Seanad area to normal working. This is a maximum period and every effort will be made to complete the work in a shorter time. I should add that the committee's and my own concern is to get our Chamber back as soon as possible and we will try to ensure that the work is completed in a shorter time if at all possible. The Department of Finance have conveyed financial approval in respect of the proposed works subject to an overall cost limit.

In regard to the Seanad Chamber ceiling, I will quote directly from the report:—

Damage has been caused to the ceiling by distortion of the supporting framework due to the structural failure of the arch spanning the bow and the failure of the timber beam which carried the cornice across the opening. A substantial area of plasterwork in the ceiling adjacent to the bow had disintegrated because the bond between the plastering undercoats and the key to the timber laths had broken. This defective area was removed. Elsewhere there is evidence that the bond between the various plaster elements including the key to the timber laths has failed. In keeping with the Commissioners past record of saving important examples of plasterwork every effort will be made to retain as much of the original Seanad Chamber ceiling as is possible. Expert advice has been sought on how this might be achieved. In making a final decision the Commissioners principal concern will be the structural adequacy of the restored ceiling so that the business of the House can be conducted in a secure and safe environment without the need for further works in the foreseeable future. As a precautionary measure moulds have been made of the decorative features so that the entire ceiling can be reproduced if necessary.

I should add that there are outstanding examples of Office of Public Works work in this regard. The Royal Hospital in Kilmainham and the Rotunda in the National Gallery which required work very similar to the work required for the Seanad ceiling. It is proposed that future progress reports should be on a quarterly basis for the benefit of all Members of this House.

From the statement I have just read Members will note that the progress report is concerned with the restoration of the Seanad Chamber. I would like to add that I have arranged for improvements to be made in the temporary Chamber during our very short summer recess, which I hope will make our stay there a little more comfortable than it has been for the past two years. The committee approved of these arrangements and of the plans drawn up in that regard by the Office of Public Works. In the main, more comfortable seating is being provided with additional seats of up to 54 instead of the present 46.

I would like to add a personal note, if I may. Since becoming Cathaoirleach, I have been very impressed at the way in which the Seanad has got on with its task. Any reasonable person would expect the level and workload of a House of Parliament to suffer in view of the drawback presented by our temporary accommodation, but this is not so. The momentum created in the record breaking last Seanad as regards sittings is being equalled and certainly surpassed in the number of Government Bills introduced in this House in little over two and a half months since this Seanad session began. The number of Government Bills introduced augurs well for this Seanad.

To date 18 Bills have been passed, seven Bills have been introduced in the Seanad of which two have been passed and for the third year in a row we are taking a very short summer recess. It is important to repeat that. It is becoming obvious to me that the Seanad is getting a better press of late, and, indeed, RTE have also done us proud. People in the street have said to me that they are happy to read and hear about this House.

I know it may be out of place for a Cathaoirleach to put these facts on record, as I have no wish to steal the thunder of the Leader of the House, Senator Mick Lanigan. Nevertheless, I feel I have to show my appreciation to my Seanad colleagues for the tremendous amount of hard work they have done in a very trying and taxing environment. As I said on the first day of this Seanad session, I am always available for sensible discussion re the working of the House and the Committee on Procedure and Privileges have taken a serious look at the review of Standing Orders.

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