Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Mar 1973

Vol. 265 No. 2

Committee on Finance. - Vote 8: Public Works and Buildings.

Minister for Finance (Mr. R. Ryan)

I move:

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £330,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1973, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of Public Works; for expenditure in respect of public buildings; for the maintenance of certain parks and public works; for the execution and maintenance of drainage and other engineering works; for expenditure arising from damage to the property of External Governments; and for payment of certain grants-in-aid.

Mr. Lemass

When I was in the Office of Public Works I had to face up to the problem of building as against renting. While the argument was pretty strong to conserve capital and rent office accommodation I initiated a study of this as a result of which the Government reached the decision that building would be done and before I left office at least three schemes had been put under way for which architects had been appointed to design schemes and another five or six are in hand. While subhead D is not immediately relevant I hope there will be no change of policy in this regard. In regard to national monuments when I was in charge of the Office of Public Works at no time did I find the Government reluctant to give me funds for the development of parks and monuments. This is a relatively new section of the Office of Public Works. It has been expanding at a pretty good pace. I appeal to my successor to impress on the Government the importance of the preservation of national monuments. They are our heritage. Once a national monument is gone it is gone forever and cannot be restored. I hope the incoming Government will look after these items.

Question put and agreed to.