asked the Minister for Finance the date of the fire in the Houses of the Oireachtas Members' rooms; the date on which the restoration plans were drawn up; the date on which these plans were approved by the political parties; the date on which the contract was placed; and the date on which this work will be completed.
Written Answers. - Houses of the Oireachtas Restoration Work.
581.
1. The date of the fire which destroyed the bars was 10 October 1979.
2. Restoration plans were drawn up by March 1980. These covered not only the areas affected by the fire but proposals for a redesign of the kitchen and dining facilities and the provision of substantially enlarged members' and visitors' bars.
3. Sketch plans were approved by the political parties subject to certain alterations, in May 1980.
4. Contract documents comprising working drawings and bills of quantities for the project were prepared and tenders for the work were invited in December 1980. The Joint Restaurant Committee obtained sanction to the expenditure in March 1981 and consulted with the Committees on Procedure and Privileges of both Houses during April 1981 concerning the sequence of work. Following approval of both committees the contract was placed on 27 April 1981.
5. Works are expected to be completed by end October 1982. The main bar areas will be available by mid-July 1982.