Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Jun 1987

Vol. 116 No. 11

Business of Seanad.

An Cathaoirleach

I have notice from Senator Nuala Fennell that, on the motion for the Adjournment of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matters:

1. The recent savage cuts by the Department of Health to Hume Street Hospital which will mean the termination of their vital day care treatment for thousands of psoriasis sufferers — and closing from the end of June of the women's screening clinic, and

2. The serious implications involved in the decision to end direct availability for GP's of free testing of specimens for sexually transmitted disease at St. James's Hospital, which has been available since 1971.

I also received notice from Senator John Connor of the following matters:

1. To ask the Minister for Education the present position regarding the construction of a new primary school at Frenchpark, County Roscommon, and

2. To ask the Minister for Health if he will reject the proposal of the Western Health Board to reduce the size and range of services at the County Hospital in Roscommon.

I also received notice from Senator Brian O'Shea of the following matter:

To ask the Minister for Transport to outline his proposals in relation to the provision of capital grants for the development of Waterford Airport.

I regard all the matters as suitable for discussion on the Adjournment. I have selected Senator Fennell's motion regarding Hume Street Hospital and it will be taken from 8 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Senators Fennell, O'Connor and O'Shea may give notice for another day of the matters they wish to raise.

I want to thank Senator Fennell because her matter was ordered for the Adjournment last week and she very kindly gave way because somebody was unavailable.

Mrs. Robinson

I wonder if I could raise a matter which I think it is appropriate to raise at this stage. It concerns the ceiling of the Seanad Chamber next door. A number of individuals and one particular group have expressed concern to me because it appears that the entire ceiling next door which, as Senators are aware, is a magnificent ceiling, is at risk of being destroyed in the construction work. As the House is aware, this is a ceiling of James Wyatt done before 1780 and it is the finest example of his work in Dublin and, I think, in Ireland. The problem is on one portion on the north wall side. It is a very serious problem as the House knows. The reason I am raising it in this way is that that part of the ceiling, less than one-third, has already had to come down because of the construction work. Casts have been made with a view to reassembling it and keeping its original appearance.

An Cathaoirleach

This is before us every week.

Mrs. Robinson

I appreciate that. That is why I am raising it.

An Cathaoirleach

The OPW have a report before us every week. We meet again this evening. There is a meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges every week on the particular matter.

Mrs. Robinson

My concern — and I believe it is sufficiently important to be a publicly voiced concern and I hope a concern all Members of the House would share — is that the Office of Public Works have a very good reputation for preserving original ceilings but they may feel under pressure, even from Senators. We want the work to be completed as quickly as possible but it appears that a decision has now been taken to remove the entire original ceiling and there are a number of groups, for example, An Taisce and various conservation bodies, who believe that is not necessary.

An Cathaoirleach

This is a matter for the Office of Public Works and the contractors.

Mrs. Robinson

It is a matter for this House. I was going to ask you to ascertain the position because I am gravely concerned and I know that others are. The Irish Architectural Archive have had experts examine it and they are very concerned about it and they believe it is not necessary that the ceiling should be destroyed.

An Cathaoirleach

I agree that every Senator in the Chamber is as concerned as you are about the said ceiling. We have this on the Clár of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges every week and we have the OPW with us every week and again this evening and again next week.

Mrs. Robinson

I thought this matter might be raised and that the House might receive a report about it.

An Cathaoirleach

As Cathaoirleach I will raise it. It would have been nice if I knew that you were going to raise it.

Mrs. Robinson

I did not let you know beforehand because I have just come up from the Courts. I am not criticising the Office of Public Works. As I understand it, they have a very good reputation. I am concerned that they might feel under pressure that has been expressed in the House about the problems of location for the Seanad in the short term.

An Cathaoirleach

You should have confidence in the Members of the House who are on the Committee on Procedures and Privileges. We will see that your wish is carried out and, indeed, the wish of everybody else.

Mrs. Robinson

Do I understand that you will report to the House on this matter?

An Cathaoirleach

I will.

Mr. Robb

If I am in order I would like to pay tribute to the work of Mr. Jack Tobin, the Clerk, who I understand has retired, if my information is correct.

An Cathaoirleach

The date of his retirement has not arrived yet.

Mr. Robb

I apologise, but I noticed he was not here and I was told that he had, in fact, concluded his work with the Seanad and I wanted to record——

An Cathoirleach

That will be next Friday, Senator Robb, and there will be time for tributes.