Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The rent being paid by the Commissioners of Public Works in respect of the offices at Block 1, Miesian Plaza, is in accordance with the terms of the lease. However, the Office of Public Works, OPW, has previously acknowledged in reply to parliamentary questions that an issue arose on which they should have engaged with the landlord and sought to recalibrate the rental rate as a result of the new measurement standard, international property management standard 3, IPMS 3, introduced in early 2016. This should not have happened and the Commissioners of Public Works regret that this error arose.

Since the issue was identified, the OPW has continued to engage with the landlord with respect to the measurement standard applied. In recent months, further discussions have taken place between the OPW and the landlord, including meetings on 3 June, 24 August and 23 September. At these meetings, there was constructive discussion around possible solutions towards resolution of the measurement issue. The Deputy will appreciate that the matters under consideration involve complex commercial property transactions and discussions are at a sensitive stage. While progress has been made, discussions are ongoing and the OPW anticipates a further meeting with the landlord will be held within the next two weeks.

Both the OPW and the landlord are committed to continuing this process with a view to establishing if a solution that is acceptable to both parties can be reached.

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