Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 1923 > Committee on Accommodation of the Oireachtas > Report - Accommodation for the Oireachtas

TUARASGABHAIL ON gCO-CHOISTE I DTAOBH SLI DON OIREACHTAS.

REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON ACCOMMODATION FOR THE OIREACHTAS.

The Joint Committee on accommodation for the Oireachtas was constituted by the following Resolution of Dáil Eireann of July 10th, 1923 :—

“That the Dáil appoint the following:— An Ceann Comhairle, the Minister for Local Government (Mr. E. Blythe), Deputies Burke, Hughes, McGarry, Murphy, Gorey, Johnson, Davin and William Magennis (five to form a quorum), to constitute, with such Senators as may be appointed by the Seanad, a Committee to consider how suitable accommodation for the Oireachtas may best be provided and to examine such plans as may be submitted to them, and that the Seanad be requested to appoint to such Committee such members of the Seanad as the Seanad may think fit. and that it be an instruction to the Committee to report upon the matter submitted to them at their earliest convenience, but not later than the 27th July.”

and by the following Resolution of the Seanad of July 11th, 1923 :—

“That the Seanad agree to the request contained in the Resolution passed by Dáil Éireann on July 10th to appoint members to a Joint Committee for the purpose stated in the Resolution of Dáil Éireann, and that the following Senators be appointed:—Lord Glenavy, J. G. Douglas, Sir Thomas Esmonde, Mrs. Stopford Green, Mrs. Wyse Power, Peter de Loughrey, Sir Nugent Everard, Martin Fitzgerald, J. T. O’Farrell and W. B. Yeats.”

Meetings were held on Tuesday, July 17th Thursday, July 19th and Thursday, July 26th.

The Committee discussed various possible sites where accommodation for the Oireachtas might be found and visited the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham.

The Committee considered that the question of accommodation for the Oireachtas divided itself into two distinct branches (1) permanent premises and (2) temporary premises.

With regard to a permanent home for the Oireachtas, the following Resolution was passed:—

“This Committee, without desiring or intending to prejudice in any way the decision as to the permanent site for the Oireachtas, recommend that a Commission, including experts, should be appointed at an early opportunity to enquire and report to both Houses as to suitable and available sites for the permanent housing of the Oireachtas, including the probable expense and time involved in the acquisition and conversion to this purpose of the old Parliament House in College Green.”

Since Dáil Éireann had named July 27th as the latest date on which the Committee was to report to the Dáil, the Committee found it impossible adequately to consider the question of temporary premises, and is therefore unable to make any recommendation regarding temporary accommodation.

Cathaiorleach an Choiste.