I wish to make an announcement for the information of the House. I have received a final progress report on the reconstruction work on the Seanad Chamber from the Office of Public Works.
The Office of Public Works report that the work of restoring the Seanad Chamber is continuing to progress well and is running at or very close to programme. The restoration and redecoration of the ceiling has been completed. The floor of the Chamber has been laid. Most of the carpet has been laid and the benches have been returned and fixed in position. Work has commenced on the installation of the sound system for the Chamber.
Apart from the installation of the sound system which commenced on Monday last and is programmed to take three weeks, including one week for changing over the system from the temporary Chamber to the restored Chamber and commissioning it, the principal works now remaining to be done are: the completion of the decoration of walls, decorative wall mouldings, windows, window shutters, etc. and other refurbishment works such as installation of lighting fittings.
These works are now going ahead concurrently and, while it is not the ideal way to proceed, with so many trades working in such a restricted area all at one time, the work is progressing satisfactorily and the target date of 3 May for the reoccupation of the Chamber still seems achievable at this stage, but there is no margin for delays.
Every effort was made to undertake the noisiest of the work during the recess and this has largely been achieved. However, it is inevitable that some noisy work will continue to arise on the site from time to time. The padding and screens which had been in position to lessen noise penetration into the temporary Chamber have had to be removed to facilitate laying of the carpet and decoration of the doors. There is, as a result, a risk that noise from the site may penetrate into the temporary Chamber. Site staff have been instructed to keep noise to a minimum especially while the Seanad is in session. If, despite all precautions, it becomes necessary to suspend some work on the site due to the noise factor every effort will be made to make up any time lost. However, the overall programme is now so tight that it might become necessary to defer the reoccupation of the Chamber for a week in these circumstances.
I ask for the co-operation and patience, as we have had throughout, of all Senators for the final phase of this work. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges will meet next week about arrangements for the first day back in the Chamber.