asked the Minister for Finance the present position regarding the Kennedy Memorial project; and when it is expected that work will commence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kennedy Memorial Project.
5.
Work on the planning of the Hall is proceeding. It is expected that working drawings will be ready next spring. It will then be necessary to obtain bills of quantities. It is not possible to indicate at this stage when construction is likely to commence. The possibility of a site other than Haddington Road is being considered.
Is there any truth in the speculation that this may, perhaps, be finally sited in proximity to Arus an Uachtaráin?
I did not hear any rumour to that effect. I did see a proposal that it might be sited in the Phoenix Park. That suggestion has, in fact, been put before the interdepartmental committee.
I hope the Minister will leave the Park alone. We are getting short of open spaces.
Surely the Minister does not seriously consider the desirability of erecting a large building, involving quantities of traffic and the parking of cars, in the Phoenix Park? Has it not been the inflexible attitude of successive Governments to resist proposals for the erection of buildings in the Phoenix Park, including the proposal for the erection of Government Buildings in that park, on the ground that we hold that open space sacrosanct for the people?
I agree that view has always been widely held.
I trust the Minister shares it.
The Minister remains silent. He does not share it, so the Park is now in danger. The Minister proposes to build in the Phoenix Park.
I do not propose to build there.
Then deny it.
I have told the Deputy the position. The suggestion has been put before the interdepartmental committee that the building might be sited in the Phoenix Park. Other suggestions as to other sites have also been put before the interdepartmental committee and I do not intend at this stage to anticipate its consideration of these matters.
Would the Minister not say now directly that he will not entertain any proposal to build anything in the Phoenix Park? Green space is getting scarcer and scarcer in Dublin and we want to preserve the Park,
The Deputy should realise that this matter is before the interdepartmental committee——
It is a Committee of this House; it is not an interdepartmental committee.
I agree: I meant an all-Party Committee.
Mr. O'Malley
And we can rely on Deputy M. Dockrell's good taste in all these things.
We know we can rely on him, but he is only one.
Mr. O'Malley
He is a very influential member.