Vol. 416 No. 6
13 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if he has any plans to improve the arrangements decided on by his predecessor for access by the general public to the architectural and other amenities of Government Buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to continue the practice of allowing supervised, guided tours of Government Buildings for groups who have made a prior written application to the Secretary of my Department.
Last year, notwithstanding security requirements and the obvious difficulty that the buildings are a working area during and often outside normal office hours, all applications received were facilitated and 618 people were given tours of the building. So far this year 122 persons have been given tours and a further 300 people will have been accommodated, at their own request, between now and Easter.
It makes Downing Street look like a slum.
Question No. 14, please.
