asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the reason for the erection of the new glazed screen around the public gallery in Leinster House; the cost of the screen; and whether he will have it removed forthwith.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leinster House Screen.
48.
Mr. Kenny
The request for the erection of the screen which cost £9,200 approximately was made by the Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas on the recommendation of the security authorities. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges was consulted before the work was put in hands and decided that it should proceed.
In the circumstances, I do not propose to have the screen removed.
When was the decision taken to erect this unnecessary and overcostly monstrosity to protect us from the most peaceful looking gallery of people one could find anywhere? How long was it in the process of erection from the date of the commencement of the work and, basically, what is the reason for it?
Mr. Kenny
Basically, the reason is to protect the lives of the Deputies here.
From those innocent looking people in the public gallery?
Mr. Kenny
No, not at all. They are lovely innocent people looking down on us but one could get one rotten apple in the barrel that would come along and drop a bomb between us.
Arising from the Parliamentary Secretary's very lucid explanation, I should like to ask him whether the screening of visitors going into the public gallery is not regarded as satisfactory. A person entering either of the two main gates would be daft in the extreme to place himself up above the Chamber to either bomb or shoot a Deputy at an extreme angle when he is likely to miss. Such a person could sit at the foot of the stairs or wait in the corridor and do anything he liked to a particular Deputy.
These are hardly matters for the Parliamentary Secretary.
Mr. Kenny
The Deputy must have consideration for the populace. Maybe some of the Deputies might want to get at them.
If the protection is for the public from Deputies——
We took it down and you put it up.
Mr. Kenny
The decision was made during the Deputy's lifetime in Government.
——it is a scandalous waste of money.
Mr. Kenny
You were unanimous in the decision to erect it.
I should like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary if the sound system has deteriorated since the erection of that barrier?
Mr. Kenny
No, it is perfectly all right.