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Dáil Éireann - Volume 530 - 20 February, 2001 Other Questions. - Land Registry. Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea 42. Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the development of a site of approximately 1.2 acres at Smithfield acquired from a company (details supplied) for the new Land Registry building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1185/01] Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Cullen): The Commissioners of Public Works completed the purchase of the Swedish Match site in Hammond Lane in December 1999. Since then some preparatory works have taken place. An archaeological assessment has been carried out on the open areas of the site and nothing of any significance was found. A planning application was lodged on 23 January 2001 for demolition of the former Maguire and Paterson buildings and adjoining buildings. A strip of land to the north of the site will be disposed of for the proposed Luas line. The Luas area has been fenced off from the main site. When the site clearance has been completed, subject to planning permission, the Commissioners of Public Works will proceed to shortlist developers to tender for the provision of Government offices on the site. Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea: Will the Minister inform the House if the decision to locate the new Land Registry on that site has been rescinded? It should be borne in mind that his colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue, told me here a couple of weeks ago that it is possible, even probable, that the Land Registry will be decentralised to Waterford. Will the Minister inform us exactly what the status of the Government position is now? Is that decision being examined or has it been rescinded? What is happening? Should a site like this be without a purpose as it is at the moment? Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen: The site is obviously not without a purpose. As I have told the Deputy, we went to planning permission on the site only in January this year. Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea: But not with the demolition. Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen: Yes, but once the site has been cleared we will proceed to short list developers to tender for the provision of Government offices on the site. That position has not changed. ÜfcMr. O'Shea ÜfcMr. O'Shea 1183 [1183] Mr. O'Shea: They were due to be demolished. The Minister of State has not answered my question. The site was bought for a Land Registry building. Is that still the Government's position or has there been a change? Is what the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue, said to me, that it is probable the Land Registry will be decentralised to Waterford, accurate? Will the Minister of State clarify exactly what is happening with the site? Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen: My Department purchased the site for a specific purpose, which has not changed. Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea: In other words, it is still for the purpose of siting a Land Registry building? Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen: Yes, but various instructions can be received from a Department. The Office of Public Works acts on behalf of many Departments. Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea: As matters stand, it is designated for the Land Registry. Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen: As I stated recently— Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea: I asked what is the current position. Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen: I am happy to confirm that there has been no change in the instruction to purchase the site for the purpose outlined in the question. Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea: A colleague of the Minister of State stated that part of his Department would be decentralised to Waterford. Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen: It is good of the Deputy to make that announcement. Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea: Will, as the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform said, part of his Department be decentralised to Dungarvan? Will that happen? Mr. J. Mitchell Mr. J. Mitchell Mr. J. Mitchell: Yes. Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen: As I stated recently – I have spoken publicly only once on this issue – the Government is considering all the options with regard to the decentralisation programme. Every matter is under consideration. When and if a decision is made by the Government, I shall make the necessary announcement. It is unhelpful to the negotiating process, the social partners and everyone involved when Deputies make announcements in their constitutencies or elsewhere as it leads to speculation about important decisions that affect a constituency. Mr. Deasy Mr. Deasy Mr. Deasy: Someone is being rapped on the knuckles. Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea 1184 [1184] Mr. O'Shea: Is the Minister of State saying that that statement was worthless? Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen: Which statement? Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea Mr. O'Shea: The statement which included the Land Registry and the Minister of State's Department. Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen Mr. Cullen: All these matters are under consideration by the Government. I will speak for my Department, other Ministers will speak for theirs. Dáil Éireann 530 Other Questions. Land Registry. Questions 20010220
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