asked the Minister for Local Government the cause of the delay in bringing about the merger between the National Building Advisory Council and An Foras Forbartha; who the members of the new board of directors will be; on what basis they will be selected; the cost to the State of An Foras Forbartha since it was set up; and the amount of the grant from the UN.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - An Foras Forbartha.
16.
The National Building Advisory Council in the resolution passed at their meeting on 20th April, 1967, agreeing in principle to the merger of the Council and An Foras Forbartha requested discussions on certain questions affecting the members, staff and functions of the Council. These discussions had reached a stage by August last which enabled me to reconstitute the Board of An Foras by appointing to it, initially for a period of one year, eleven additional members, including four members and the acting Chairman of the Council. The new members were selected by me on the basis that their profession or experience would enable them to make a valuable contribution to the work of An Foras. They are indicated in a statement which, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
The grant received from the State by An Foras Forbartha from the date of its establishment in 1964 up to 31st March, 1967, amounted to £183,370. The assistance from the United Nations has not been by way of grant. It has consisted of the provision of experts, consultants and fellowships for further study and the training of An Foras personnel, together with the provision of books and equipment. The total value of this assistance up to 30th June, 1967, is estimated at £148,000.
Following is the statement:—
AN FORAS FORBARTHA.
List of Board Members.
*Mr. James Barry, M.R.I.A.I., A.R.I.B.A., Kelly and Barry & Associates, 16 Sidney Place, Cork.
*Mr. H.P. Clerkin, B.E., B.Sc., Chief Engineering Adviser, Department of Local Government.
*Mr. J.M. Cox, Industrial Officer, Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers, 32 Lr. O'Connell Street, Dublin 1.
*Mr. G.H. Crampton, B.A.I., Chairman, G. & T. Crampton Ltd., Hammersmith Works, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
*Mr. D. MacGreevy, F.R.I.C.S., F.I.Arb., Chairman, National Building Advisory Council.
*Mr. T. McHugh, Principal Officer, Department of Finance.
Mr. G. A. Meagher (Chairman), Deputy Secretary, Department of Local Government.
N. Ó Briain, Uasal, Assistant Secretary, Department of Transport and Power.
*Mr. Michael O'Brien, B.E., M.T.P.I., Planning Officer, Dublin Corporation and County Council.
*Mr. E. O'Byrne, B.Arch., A.M.T.P.I., City Architect and Planning Officer, Cork Corporation.
S. Ó Cearbhaill, Uasal, Assistant Principal Officer, Department of Industry and Commerce.
*Mr. E. Ó Cionna, B.E., M.I.C.E.I., A.M.I.C.E., Consulting Engineer, 44 Kildare Street, Dublin.
*Mr. Donal F. O'Dwyer, B.Arch, F.R.I.A.I., Principal, College of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin.
P. Ó hUigínn, Uasal, Managing Director, An Foras Forbartha.
Mr. E.T. Sheehy, Assistant Secretary, Department of Local Government.
*Mr. Patrick J. Tobin, M.E., Consulting Engineer, 22 Eyre Square, Galway.
* First appointed on 2nd August, 1967.
Could the Minister say whether the National Building Advisory Council has ever done anything since it was set up but cost the State money, and could he say what programme of work was set out for it at the time it was set up?
I have not been asked that, but it has done some quite good work.
I will put a question down again, if necessary. The Minister might be able to find out then.