Coining it at the Dublin mint site

Sir, – I refer to the news report that the Central Bank has decided to relocate its currency centre in Sandyford to a new location (“Central Bank to move its south Dublin cash facility as it plans sale of 37-acre site”, December 7th).

Discussions with the Land Development Agency will arise to consider redeveloping the site for the provision of social and affordable housing.

I was part of the design team, in the early 1970s, for the procurement of the currency centre. As such I am aware of just how unsuitable the site is for any form of housing, being comprised almost entirely of rock. Vast amounts of the material had to be blasted out with gelignite to accommodate the substructures, extensive walking ducts for utilities and the main security vault. If built, the housing units may be “affordable” to the tenants and purchasers but their cost could rival that of some developments in Ballsbridge. Politics and economics could get into some tangle here.

On a lighter note, I recall standing with some Arup engineers at the edge of the vault excavation contemplating the extent of the work. One of them introduced a play on the slogan of a popular peppermint sweet brand by describing the scene as the “hole with the mint”! – Yours, etc,