Results 6,241-6,260 of 26,537 for speaker:John McGuinness
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: I thank Mr. Shanahan. May we publish his statement?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: We are running out of time.
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: I raised the issue of Carrisbrook House with representatives of the OPW when they were before the committee because I had thought the OPW was responsible for the building. If you do not mind, I want to get some understanding of where this lease came from or how it originated. In 1969 an agency entered into that lease for 65 years. Is that correct?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: What happened from there? Was the building then fully rented or fully used? I realise you were not responsible - I want to make that clear - but I am keen to find out the position.
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: It was fully used. Is that the case?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: Was it the practice back then that 65 year leases without a break clause were agreed? I do not believe that was common.
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: We are going to have to find out why this was the case. Why is it that an agency of the State, even though it was in 1969, entered into a 65 year lease without a break clause? I would like to know the answer to that question. I realise Mr. Shanahan cannot give it but perhaps someone within a Department somewhere, whether the Department of Finance or otherwise, might have some answers. Who...
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: The original what?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: From whom? Who was the landlord?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: I wish to know who was the landlord back then in 1969. Did the identity of the landlord change in the years between 1969 and the present? I am aware it changed recently. Can the committee have a list of the names of who or whatever was the landlord, be it a person, company, trust or whatever?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: Moreover, there must be some sort of legal explanation or commentary on the fact that the State was going to enter into a lease for 65 years without a break clause. How much has this cost the State since 1969? I note that from 2008 onwards, there has been a single occupier of the building. In each year since 2008 to date, approximately how much has Forfás paid in total rent?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: The amount was €1.2 million. Does the lease contain an upward-only rent review clause?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: A nil increase. Prior to that, did the rent increase regularly over the years?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: May we also have that detail? It would be interesting were the witnesses to provide the committee with a history of the building in respect of landlords, tenants, rents, losses for each year and so on as that would be important. When the building was offered for sale, is it the case the State took no interest in it? It sold in 2012 for €16 million. The witnesses have stated it...
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: Who is the landlord at present?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: An investment trust now owns the building but Forfás has the building and is left with the hot potato. At the time of the sale, what negotiations went on with the Office of Public Works, OPW, on the possibilities of reducing the State's exposure by purchasing the building or reaching some sort of solution around that?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: Yes, but from the point of view of purchasing, did the OPW have any comment on it? I am interested in this issue because the last time the OPW appeared before this committee, its representatives very quickly referred the problem to Forfás. In my opinion, the OPW manages the property for the State and should have had some sort of input into the consideration being given to the disposal...
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: Finally, I refer to Wilton Park House and note Forfás has a problem with, for example, Knockmaun House. What is the position there?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: Does Forfás intend to renew that lease?
- Public Accounts Committee: Forfás Annual Accounts 2012 (17 Oct 2013)
John McGuinness: Has it always been 88% occupied or was the rate lower or higher?