Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Buildings.

Eoin Ryan

Ceist:

330 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the buildings owned or used by his Department that pre-date 1843; the extent and terms under which any of these buildings are open to the public; the plans, if any, he has to open any of these buildings to the public; the listed interiors in these buildings; the notable interiors in these buildings other than those that may be officially listed; the current use of these interiors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6032/96]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

My Department occupies two offices which were built prior to 1843.

Numbers 44 and 45 Merrion Square are two adjoining interconnected houses which are occupied by the Patents Office. The interiors of these houses are not listed. While they have many attractive features of the Gerogian era, including ceilings and fireplaces, they are not considered notable.

The building known as Block M in Dublin Castle forms part of a terrace of buildings at the Ship Street entrance to the Castle complex and is occupied by the Registrar of Friendly Societies and his staff. It has no listed interiors and they are not considered notable.

These buildings are used as office accommodation and it is not practicable to provide public access to the office areas. In both cases, a small portion of the offices on the ground floor is accessible to members of the public who call on official business.