Dáil and Seanad could be moved for Leinster House renovations

The Dáil and Seanad could be temporarily moved out of Leinster House to allow for substantial renovations and building maintenance which may take up to a year to complete.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) on Tuesday gave a briefing to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission – which runs Leinster House – on repairs needed on the oldest parts of the building.

However, it is understood no estimates of cost were provided by the OPW. The commission includes members from the Seanad and Dáil, as well as Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett and Paddy Burke, the Cathoirleach of the Upper House.

Seanad moving

The repair works are likely to necessitate the Seanad moving for much of 2017, while also closing off the majority of the original Leinster House, which was originally built in 1745.

Closing it down in 2016 is being ruled out because of events to commemorate 1916. While it is understood the Dáil chamber will be largely unaffected by the work, sources said Mr Barrett raised the possibility of moving TDs out of the current chamber to facilitate speedy completion.

No alternative venues for either House were mentioned and numerous sources said the most likely outcome is relocating the Seanad but not the Dáil.

The OPW was told to return to the commission with firmer plans on how to carry out the repairs and a briefing note prepared for Tuesday’s meeting said the original building may have to be shut down entirely.

It says a “full decant and shut down of historic Leinster House” is a possibility to “complete these essential works”.

It says ongoing risk to the building is being managed but risks are increasing every year and says Leinster House is a “protected structure of international importance”.

“[The] focus in historic Leinster House has been life safety in the event of fire,” the OPW note says, adding there are international examples of “catastrophic” losses of historic buildings through fire.

Reduce risks

It says work is needed to reduce this risk with substantial structural work also needed.

“Areas within the building are vacant due to structural issues and there are loading restrictions throughout the upper floors. Floors require structural strengthening to bring underutilised spaces back into use. This must be carried out in conjunction with the electrical and upgrade works.”

Work needs to be done on the roofs, stonework and windows and the improvements will be carried out “while [the] building is unoccupied”.

Leinster Lawn – on the Merrion Square side – is also to be refurbished “in a manner that takes into account its historic evolution from private residence to public parliament”.

Leinster House was built between 1745 and 1747 following a commission by James Fitzgerald, the Earl of Kildare. It was sold to the Royal Dublin Society, which made substantial additions to the building, including the lecture theatre which is now the Dáil chamber.

After the establishment of the Free State in 1922, the government secured a part of Leinster House for parliamentary use. The entire building was acquired in 1924.