asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware of the fact that architects employed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara have sought tenders in recent weeks for work to be carried out in the unoccupied offices rented by the board in Dún Laoghaire; if he has sanctioned this extra expenditure; if he is aware further that there has been considerable expenditure already on the board's existing offices in Hume House, Balls-bridge, Dublin and that all the space available there and at their offices in Grant Row, Dublin, is not being fully utilised at present; if monies have been advanced to the board in view of this and the stated opposition of both fishermen's organisations and the board's staff through their union, the FWUI, to the transfer to Dún Laoghaire, and if he will explain his decision to do so.
Written Answers. - Bord Iascaigh Mhara Offices.
As in the case of any State-sponsored body, the provision of office accommodation for the staff of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara is a part of the day-to-day administration of the board's affairs and as such it is appropriate for decision by the board itself and not a matter in which I would be free to or wish to interfere.
However, in relation to specific points raised by the Deputy I am informed as follows:
(i) The board's architects have neither sought nor received tenders in recent weeks for work to be carried out in the Dun Laoghaire offices.
(ii) In recent years, no expenditure other than on normal maintenance has been incurred in the existing Hume House offices.
(iii) All space at BIM's offices in Hume House and Grant's Row premises is fully utilised but the accommodation available in these premises is inadequate for the board's needs.
(iv) I am not aware of any significant opposition to the proposed move by fishermen's organisations. BIM similarly have no record of such alleged opposition. With regard to BIM staff, the FWUI is only one of a number of Unions in BIM and in addition a number of staff are not members of any union. It has not been established that there are insurmountable objections to the proposed staff transfers.
484.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if the decision by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to reduce drastically the funds for fishing boat building is due to instructions from him in the interests of economy; and if so, whether he has authorised the expenditure of approximately £180,000 on the proposed alterations to the board's unoccupied offices at Dún Laoghaire.
It is a matter for the Government to decide the allocation to BIM for the financing of their Marine Credit Plan. The allocations which have been published are being reviewed at present by the Government and any changes in the allocations will be announced in due course.
I have ascertained that no expenditure has been incurred or is proposed by BIM on alterations to their offices at Dún Laoghaire.
485.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the amount so far expended from the Exchequer in advances to BIM to pay the rent of the Dún Laoghaire premises; and if he will indicate when the current lease is due to expire.
I am informed that the lease on the Dún Laoghaire premises is for 35 years from 22 October 1981 and that up to March 1983 the total amount expended by BIM on rent will have been £433,272.