Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 9

Written Answers. - Departmental Property.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

77 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the reason a substantial timber hoarding has been erected on the ground floor along the external wall of the offices of the Department of Agriculture and Food in Kildare Street, Dublin 2; the length of time it is expected to have this timber hoarding in place; the action, if any, which has been taken in relation to the structural problems concerning the shearing of portions of the pre-cast concrete window panels; the responsibility, if any, which the owners have to repair or make good such defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

This property is State owned. Following the discovery of some fallen pieces of concrete, a hoarding was erected around facades of the building as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of staff and public.

An interim report on any possible structural problem, i.e. spalling and some cracking of panels, has been received from Eolas — the Irish Science and Technology Agency. The initial tests have, however, proved to be inconclusive. Further investigations are now being pursued. It is not, therefore, possible at this stage to say when the hoarding will be removed.