I thank you, Sir, for allowing me to raise this important topic. It is seldom that matters pertaining to Wexford town are brought to my attention because, for the information of those who are interested in the political geography of Wexford, I tend to get more generous support in the Enniscorthy, Gorey and New Ross areas. However, sometimes matters get out of hand and despite the fact that there is a high profile of female and male Members and Ministers in the town there is a need for me to intervene to try to get sanity to prevail.
For the past decade there has been a problem in Wexford town as six buildings have been used by various units of the tax office, officials of the Revenue Commissioners and by people working in Wexford employment exchange in Anne Street. Successive Governments have failed to do anything other than approve in principle the provision of a building but in terms of acquiring a building, constructing a facility or giving some sign of a JCB being dusted off in Wexford town nothing has been done. The problem is so serious that the Civil and Public Service Union has been obliged to consider forms of action to highlight this matter, which they would prefer to avoid. First, there was a dispute in regard to no telephone representations being entertained. I am sure the Minister will appreciate that phones would be busy because of the high level of unemployment under this Government with people, such as myself, making representations in regard to unemployment assistance and unemployment benefits. While some of the staff have been extremely helpful this was the first difficulty which was experienced.
Second, recently there was a half day industrial dispute involving cessation of activities. While there has been a flurry of activity in regard to the Office of Public Works, the Department of Social Welfare, the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners, there has been nobody to pull the strands together and to bring the matter to finality. Since 22 February the Civil and Public Service Union members have begun a series of half-day strikes. As this problem has been ongoing since the eighties, I have no doubt that this dispute will escalate unless the Minister can give me a meaningful response.
There were high hopes in Wexford now that we have a senior Minister and a junior Minister with responsibility for environmental protection, that this matter would be resolved. I tabled a Dáil question on 10 February to ask when provision would be made for a new centralised building and to ascertain if there was any provision in the Estimates for this. The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Dempsey, stated that a decision has been made to provide centralised offices in Wexford town. Discussions which are ongoing, between the Commissioners of Public Works and Wexford Corporation, on the location of these offices must be completed before a programme time-frame for building operations can be drawn up.
I know that the Minister for Health is as concerned about this issue. The staff have put up with atrocious conditions; there is nowhere to interview people in regard to private matters and, therefore, I ask the Minister to give a commitment and a time-frame in regard to the provision of this building.
