Vol. 403 No. 8
14 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Finance if he has directed the recently established National Treasury Management Agency to take up to 15,000 square feet of office space in the Financial Services Centre at the Custom House Dock, Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The National Treasury Management Agency are carrying out negotiations on the matter of accommodation. Locations have been short listed and the Custom House Dock premises is not included.
I take it from the Minister's response that the Custom House Dock premises were never considered by the National Treasury Management Agency.
It was considered at an early stage.
Will the Minister outline the reason it was considered, given that the National Treasury Management Agency will not be availing of the tax concessions, which are the main attraction of that location?
Is the Deputy talking about the Government availing of their own tax concessions?
If the National Treasury Management Agency were not in a position to avail of tax concessions there would be little point in going to the Custom House Dock site.
That was not the reason.
What is the reason?
Cost was the reason.
Is the Minister implying that they could get accommodation in the Custom House Dock site cheaper than elsewhere in the city?
No, it would be more expensive.
In spite of that, did they still make inquiries about going there?
Yes, they looked at all the available accommodation in the city.
Was that on the instructions of the Minister?
No, Sir.
Was it on the instructions of anybody in Government?
Emphatically no.
